“For me, Cologne is a symbol of modern Germany”
interview
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“For me, Cologne is a symbol of modern Germany”
Cologne For the Cologne actor Jan Liem it is the first leading role in a major television film. In this year’s ZDF Christmas fairy tale “The Fairy Tale of the Frog and the Golden Ball” (December 24, 4.30 p.m.) he plays the role of Gai in an unequal pair of brothers.
The film is a free adaptation of the Grimm fairy tale “The Frog Prince”. We spoke to the actor beforehand about the film and his relationship with his hometown of Cologne.
What is your personal relationship to fairy tales?
Jan Liem: In kindergarten and elementary school there were always plays with fairy tales. However, the frog prince, which we now had as the basis for the new TV film, was not there. I’ve always been a big fan of Disney fairytale movies. I especially liked “Hansel and Gretel”. I also had an older sister and it impressed me, like two siblings, because they stick together and defeat the wicked witch.
What significance do the old fairy tales still have for today’s children?
liem: The message behind each fairy tale is still relevant today and is well received by the children. However, it can be conveyed better in new films than in the old films.
What has changed in the film “The Fairy Tale of the Frog and the New Golden Ball” compared to the original material?
liem: There is a new backstory about two brothers coming from a far away land to the palace with the princess and the king. Since the fairytale world has become much more colorful and diverse – it brings two different peoples together. The basic message of the fairy tale, that love triumphs over everything, has been retained, only the constellations of characters in the story have changed. The whole thing looks a bit younger and more dynamic.
Where the film was shot?
liem: We were in Prague for the shooting and shot at two castles there. These were beautiful, as was the surrounding countryside.
You play one of the two brothers – what is the difference between the two brothers?
liem: Gai and Teo couldn’t be more different: One makes plans with foresight and is calm, reasonable and level-headed. The other, on the other hand, is an adventurous hothead and finds himself in a difficult situation because he falls in love with the beautiful princess. His heart is in the right place, but he keeps getting into trouble because he acts without thinking. For me as an actor, the role of Gai was my first leading role in a major German television film.
Do you still watch TV movies like this yourself?
liem: When I was a child, I used to like to watch the big fairy tale films at Christmas. That was just part of it back then. Today, during the holidays, I try to meet as many acquaintances and relatives as possible. That’s where television often falls short.
What relationship do you have with your hometown of Cologne?
liem: For me, Cologne is a symbol of modern Germany. The city may not always look pretty, but it stands for culture and for open and easy-going people who live in Cologne. When I arrive by train over the Hohenzollern Bridge after filming, I feel right at home. That’s a special feeling.
They are also FC supporters. Did you play football yourself?
liem: I’ve been a supporter of FC for a long time. At the moment we have the best coach in Steffen Baumgart. The team fought well internationally in the Conference League, but unfortunately it wasn’t the case that we made it through. I used to only play soccer with friends on the soccer field – often from early morning until sunset. I’ve also been doing Asian martial arts like Wing Chun since I was seven years old.
Your path as an actor began in Cologne’s Schiller-Gymnasium.
liem: That was the first time I was on the amateur stage with the cabaret club. We called ourselves “Schiller’s gallstones” and were on a NRW tour. There were guest performances in Cologne’s Senftöpfchen and in the Schlosserei. Later I was recruited by the youth theater group in Bonn, where we had performances, for example, in the Brotfabrik and in the Bundeskunsthalle. I then completed my training as an actor again in Cologne at the Cologne Film Acting School.