Uwe Ochsenknecht starred in the “Boat” film, Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht in the series. The son explains how his involvement came about.
The fourth – and possibly not last – season of the award-winning Sky series “Das Boot” (since 2018) is available from Saturday (September 23rd). The six new episodes are very brutal and yet still worth watching because they clearly show the horrors and atrocities of war.
There is a little special feature in the cast this time: A little over 40 years after his father, film star Uwe Ochsenknecht (67), his son, actor Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht (33, “The Magic Flute – The Legacy of the Magic Flute”), starred in the thriller series in front of the camera. Ochsenknecht Senior started his career as boatswain Lamprecht in the original film “Das Boot” (1981). Pointed accordingly proudly he on Instagram also for the upcoming series start. The 67-year-old wrote about a photo that shows him filming the film: “Throwback 40 years to the filming of ‘Das Boot’. Like father like son. Wilson will be in the 4th season from September 23rd Series ‘Das Boot’ can be seen on Sky” – specifically in the second half of the new episodes.
Ochsenknecht Junior explains in an interview with spot on news how his involvement came about and why he grew up with the “boat”. He also tells funny and unforgettable scenes behind the scenes of the filming in Prague.
How did you get involved in the fourth season of “Das Boot”?
Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht: I was invited to the casting for the first season in 2016, but unfortunately I had to decline because I was in the middle of filming in Hungary. A year and a half ago I got another request, so I went to the casting and it worked – and I was on board, so to speak.
Her father, Uwe Ochsenknecht, starred in the original film. What did he say about your appearance on the show?
Ochsenknecht: He was very happy. But it was also funny that I shot the series “King of Stonks” parallel to “Boot”. He also made a film called “Schtonk!” made. It’s a completely different story, but still somehow a small parallel. With “Boat” the parallel is of course much clearer. My father was also happy about this because he knows the director Dennis Gansel very well. They made the two “Jim Knopf” films (2020, 2018) together.
When did you first see the original film?
Ochsenknecht: That was in the 1990s. I would say I was around nine or ten years old at the time. The film interested me simply because I grew up in Grünwald near Munich. The original submarine in which the film was shot is located there on the Bavaria film site and can be viewed there. As a result, I always ran around in this boat as a child. Actually, it feels like this submarine has always been in my life.
You were seen at the dress rehearsal during the preparation phase of “Die Ochsenknechts” (Sky). At the time you said you were excited. Did that settle during filming?
Ochsenknecht: Because of the training we had with the crew in advance in Prague – for example how to run through the boat or general fitness training – we all came together relatively quickly. We also knew exactly how to work afterwards. The fact that we got to know each other beforehand was a huge advantage and gave us great security.
What will you remember from filming?
Ochsenknecht: Luckily nothing tragic ever happened, no accidents or anything like that. Only once, when the boat had to go under water, did the hydraulic system that moves the whole thing get stuck. Nothing happened, but she just stopped and stood at an angle. We were all then in the unstable side position, which was quite an interesting experience. In addition, we always had to climb a bit when we got on the boat. When it came to the stairs and gaps, we had to be careful not to make any missteps. The advantage of our boat compared to the original metal boat was that a lot of it was made of wood or foam. The risk of injury or something painful happening was correspondingly low.
What was particularly funny about filming?
Ochsenknecht: We had a lot of fun filming. For example, one of my fellow actors spoke Swabian and we had to react to that and then always imagined how we could best do it. That was very entertaining. But of course what was the most fun was jumping off the boat into the wave pool where this scene was filmed. We had shot the serious parts beforehand and at the end around two or half past two in the night we were allowed to jump into this pool four times in our clothes. That was pretty cool and I could do it again and again.
In the press release, your character “Nudel” is described as having “stoic composure” and being “pretty loyal”. Anyone who saw you in “These Ochsenknechts” might have gotten the impression that you share these qualities. What character parallels are there?
Ochsenknecht: Yes, I am definitely loyal. I’m probably calm too. I also have a very open ear, I like to listen well and so others trust me. In the history of the series, the submarine crew to which “Nudel” belongs was at sea together for several months. That brings us together – and I could understand that very well and identify with it.
Did you take a souvenir with you from filming?
Ochsenknecht: I got a super cool sweater with a “Das Boot” print that I really like because it’s very comfortable. Otherwise, I kept a few schedules, i.e. the daily filming routines. I always do that when filming. I always have important scripts included. The books then go on the bookshelf. This time I also took photos with a disposable camera, had them developed and also included them in the book.
Not only are you an actor, you also run a restaurant in Berlin. How is it going?
Ochsenknecht: That’s right, we opened “Die Kante” two years ago and it’s going very well, the store is always super full and people come back. We have just introduced a new kitchen concept with a sharing option and now also a lot more dishes. Some friends and family now go twice a week, which makes us really happy. And the team now fits together wonderfully and everyone is passionate about it.
You also make music and therefore have three professional pillars. What job title do you indicate on forms?
Ochsenknecht: All three mean a lot to me, but acting comes first, then comes the music and then the restaurant. My profession is actor.
“Das Boot 4” will be released on Saturday. How do you watch the series?
Ochsenknecht: I don’t know exactly yet because I’ll be on a backpacking trip in Vietnam for three weeks at the start date. If I get to the series on the go, I’ll watch it from there. By the time I get back, most of my family and friends will probably be in the middle of the series and I’ll be the one who has to catch up.
What else can your fans look forward to in the near future?
Ochsenknecht: I can say that I am currently developing a series that we will shoot next year. Otherwise, the new comedy series “Sweat” with Detlev Buck, in which I also star, is coming out soon. And then I’ll probably shoot a film this fall or spring – the date hasn’t been set yet – that takes place in the Renaissance period. And there is also musical work going on. We are working on the vinyl of my band A Black Rainbow, and there are also a lot of concerts coming up…
“Das Boot”, season four, and all previous seasons can be seen exclusively on Sky and the streaming service Wow from September 23rd. And the personality documentary “These Ochsenknechts” is also shown exclusively on Sky and Wow.