SPOILER ALERT: The following interview reveals plot points.
Pandora Film produces from a script by Laila Stieler.
Beta Cinema handles sales.
Beta
One of them was Hilde Coppi.
A prison guard noted in her file, Tender, fine, brave.
Never counted on human mercy.
DEADLINE:Liv, why did you want to tell this story?
I tend to respond to the emotions of pieces more than the narrative.
I was interested in a number of questions the film raises, like when is resistance worthy?
I was also impressed by the depth of Hildes love for Hans Coppi.
There were very intense moments during production, because this was based on real events.
I remember being impacted for days after seeingBreaking The Waves.
I had a similar feeling when I was reading the script forHilde.
Every now and then its important to go somewhere existential where we think about our humanity.
The subject is also somewhat controversial.
Hilde made a decision to resist, which put her child in danger of being left alone.
But we cant know how it feels to be in her shoes.
I certainly saw a lot of heart in Hilde.
It also reminded me of my grandmother who spent a lot of time caring for my grandfather.
I remember how dutiful she was because of her love.
Thats something Hilde felt…I got to know Hans Coppi Jr a little.
He is dedicated to the story of his parents.
But hes also traumatized by becoming an orphan so young.
DEADLINE:Hans Coppi Jrs voiceover at the end of the film was very moving.
Like the movie, that moment wasnt in any way gratuitous.
When you see him in real life its very moving…
DEADLINE:How did you come to the project?
FRIES: Andreas [Dresen] asked me.
I was studying contemporary dance at the time so couldnt commit immediately.
I liked the idea of that actually because it gave me an idea of how we would work together.
I had been interested in his films before.
DEADLINE:Did you know the story?
FRIES: I didnt.
DEADLINE:And did you have any family experience from the time to call on during your research?
FRIES: No, I didnt.
I feel a big sadness and impact from it.
I havent wanted to dig into it too deeply before.
I find it very hard to understand the hard right mentality.
It makes me anxious.
DEADLINE:How timely is the story given the current rise of the far-right in Germany?
FRIES: Yes, it is, definitely, and unfortunately.
At the same time, each era is unique and the contexts are also very different.
I went to where she worked.
Its different today of course but to enter a room where she was is very powerful.
A bit like De Niro driving a cab forTaxi Driver.
You get a certain energy and a certain intuition.
Its a way to give a shot to experience other perspectives.
DEADLINE:Whats next for you?
That is currently on release.
Its still in financial process but theyre writing.
Money is a question mark but my schedule is to shoot it later this year.
Im also very excited to see how people react toHilde.
Ten years ago inZurichI played a woman with cystic fibrosis who travels to Switzerland to carry out euthanasia.
That was also an incredibly emotional journey.
You cant do those projects all the time.
Im currently doing a writing project by myself, which is more poetic, not a script as such.
And I have an audio project, Im also working on.
