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"I was interested in the other views of things"
Interview with Suzanne von Borsody
CIVIS television jury 2005
Why did you take on the chairmanship of the German CIVIS television Jury? What attracted you to the task?
I was surprised when Fritz Pleitgen asked me. However, the theme of the CIVIS Media Prize interested me: integration, migration, how do you deal the others, the foreigners in our society? Cultural diversity is also a major interest of mine. We need the discussion. All too often you hear about the great ubiquitous flock of sheep: "Germany belongs to us". Cultural diversity must be handled in films. But not only as a dry and serious discussion, it’s also possible to be serious with laughter. I have seen a lot that is positive on the CIVIS Jury. I have been convinced by the different ways that can tackle the topics of integration and cultural diversity. This can help to persuade people to think again. And as far as the cooperation with the colleagues on the jury is concerned, the different viewpoints of actors and journalists on the jury, that was a very thrilling experience. I was interested in the other views of things. And we always found a joint solution. I was really pleased about that.
How do you see the debate in society? Are the Germans more confident, more open towards something new?
I think that for most people, great fears are stirred up as far as immigration and relations with foreigners are concerned. In Berlin I’m less aware if this than in other cities, in Munich, for example, where I also live. Berlin is a metropolis, people of the most varied origins live there. Munich, in contrast, is rather provincial, more solid. There is still the distinction between East and West in Berlin, but the lines are becoming less clear. The West Germans have long since ceased to only live in the former Western part of the city. I also think our society suffers from the fact that no personal responsibility is assumed, that no positions are adopted, that a large part of society sees itself as victims and seeks those who are responsible, but never sees itself as responsible. We live in an egotistical world.
You’re a Unicef ambassador, you’re committed to "Aid for Afghanistan". What do you feel about your own responsibility?
When you are well-known person, of course, you have a stage and a special responsibility. A space so to speak which you can use to further your own renown, or alternatively simply to get more mentions in the gossip columns. I realize that based on my popularity I also have a responsibility in society. That begins with the choice of parts. As an actress I must be as credible in my role as I possibly can. I may not water myself down, not accept every part.
As a result, has your experience been encouraging or rather negative?
A single person cannot move mountains. However, he can lift a stone and put it back in another place. And sometimes a stone is too heavy for one person alone. You need comrade-in-arms, other convinced campaigners. As an actress I am a figurehead that is mounted on the bow of a wonderful ship and is pleasant to look at. However, at some stage the worms will gnaw away at this figurehead or it will sink in the sea. What I want to say is that only the entire ship, the entire crew, can be a breakwater or an icebreaker. Own responsibility is not exhausting, but I also need friends, other people for it. Then I can also take other people along in turn. If someone repeatedly shakes their head and says “No, no”, maybe one day he will change to a agreeing "hmm, hmm.”.
Is there a point in your life where this attitude has its roots?
I was brought up that way. My mother, Rosemarie Fendel always said: what is important is whether someone is human, not in the sense of “homo sapiens”, but rather in the humanistic sense. All my early education and my experience in an artistic home, which was also a meeting place for people of different origins, went in this direction. This has left its mark on me. I was also brought up to adopt different points of view, to slip into the shoes of other people and to ask simple questions. When I read the slogan "Nazis out!" on a house wall: then I stop to think. Yes, but where should they go, who wants to have them? Where shall we send them? How do you handle people who really don't know what they are talking about? That doesn’t mean that we have to accept Nazis in our society. That means we must be prepared for a confrontation with certain positions and events in the country in which we live.
Isn't a large part of our society disinterested? You have just said that many only see themselves as victims. There is absolutely no call for civil courage or the great debate with radically right-wing trends in our society.
I have a very positive example. A few years ago, I observed a scene in Berlin-Kreuzberg, which made a very big impression on me. On one side of the street there was a group of Turks and on the other there were Neo Nazis or skinheads facing them. The atmosphere was very highly charged, violence could break out any minute and right in the middle of this tense atmosphere stood a woman. She pulled objects out of her carrier bags and said with a loud and powerful voice where she had purchased this and that. “These carrots cost me 2 Marks 99, and where did I buy them? What did the lettuce cost? She simply unpacked her purchases and involved the people in a discussion. She thus managed to completely defuse the volatile situation. I call that civil courage and assumption of responsibility.
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CIVIS - Nominations and prize-winners  |
2010 Berlin
2009 Berlin
2008 Ljubljana
2007 Berlin
2006 Berlin
2005 Strasbourg |
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