Hanna Schygulla Reflects on Italy, Collaboration, and Iconic Directors
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Hanna Schygulla, the acclaimed German actress, recently received the Star of the Mole award at the Turin Film Festival. During the festival, she discussed her latest role in Greek, her enduring connection with Italy, and her experiences working with legendary directors like Marco Ferreri and Rainer werner Fassbinder.Schygulla emphasized the importance of collaboration with younger filmmakers and the power of empathetic storytelling.
Greek and the Nuances of Character
Schygulla’s recent work includes a role in Greek, directed by Ameer Fakher eldin. She spoke about the value of collaborating with a younger director, stating it prevents an artist from becoming “stuck in the past.” She described her character in Greek as a guesthouse owner who is initially unwelcoming, grappling with internal conflict and unhappiness.
“My character runs a guesthouse and it’s not welcoming,” Schygulla explained. “He thinks, ‘Who is Munir, who is this man?’ Given this person’s unhappiness, try to be empathetic.It’s about human solidarity: it opens up and offers him the possibility of remaining retired, but he feels an internal torture.” She further noted that the film’s strength lies in it’s subtlety,a quality she embraces in her own acting style.
A Lifelong Affection for Italy
Schygulla expressed a deep and enduring love for Italy, calling it “the perfect country to be born in.” She praised the Italian people’s sociability and the country’s vibrant atmosphere.
“Everyone is sociable, there is a lot of sun, even inside people,” she saeid. She recounted a formative childhood memory of a camping trip to Chioggia, Italy, at age 11, where a boy complimented her, sparking what she described as her “first flash of flirtation with Italy.”
Remembering Ferreri and Fassbinder
schygulla also shared insights into her experiences working with two of cinema’s most influential directors: Marco Ferreri and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. She described ferreri as “unique in ways, honest and sincere,” and cherished the “continuous excitement” and surprises on his sets.
Regarding Fassbinder,she highlighted his lack of perfectionism as a key reason she enjoyed working with him. “Not doing a lot of filming, with him you had to be absolutely present in the moment,” she explained. Rainer Werner Fassbinder was known for his intense, improvisational style, demanding complete commitment from his actors. Marco Ferreri was a controversial figure known for his provocative and frequently enough satirical films.
Legacy and Future Projects
Hanna Schygulla remains a meaningful figure in European cinema, celebrated for her nuanced performances and willingness to collaborate with both established and emerging filmmakers.Her recent award at the Turin Film Festival underscores her continued relevance and influence. While details of her future projects are not currently available, her reflections on her career and artistic ideology offer valuable insights into the creative process and the enduring power of cinema.
Source: Teresa Cioffi’s reporting as presented in the original text. Additional background information on Fassbinder and Ferreri was sourced from Britannica and The new Yorker respectively.