“Babylon Berlin” Huge turnout for Sunday’s casting

Bonn · Locals turned out in force to try for a role in the TV adaptation of the bestselling novel “Babylon Berlin”.

Queue up, fill in a questionnaire, have your photo taken, and you may have the chance to immerse yourself in 1920s Berlin. 500 extras, 50 minor parts and speaking roles were cast in the TV version of the bestselling novel “Babylon Berlin” on Sunday at the Startblock bistro in Sportpark Nord. They were particularly looking for men aged between 18 and 70 to play gangsters, soldiers and police.

As well as German faces, east European faces also stood a good chance. “The crowd is huge. The first applicants were already at the door an hour and a half before the start,” reported Gregor Weber from the Eick casting agency. The agency looks for actors using open castings about five times a year. Filming starts at the end of September in Bonn, Königswinter, Zülpich and Duisberg.

“We are casting in this area to give the people who live here the chance to be involved.” Those applying had to fill in a form. Questions included their height, eye colour and whether they were prepared to have their hair cut short. Applicants were then given a number and had their picture taken by two photographers. Then they simply had to hope they were accepted.

All photos and questionnaires end up in the agency’s databank, where they are evaluated. “Applicants also have the opportunity to be used in other projects.” Some candidates immediately stood out from the crowd and were given a green slip of paper: their ticket to a definite role.

18-year-old Zoey Fleur from Königswinter was given such a paper. However, she has to cut her hair for her role as a traveller. “I don’t find that too bad. I came on the spur of the moment with my sister and didn’t think I’d be spoken to directly.”

68-year-old Siegfried Schürer is playing a shareholder. He was involved for years behind the camera in TV and theatre production in Leipzig. He must grow his hair but lose his beard. “I’m flexible and prepared to do anything.” First he has to go to Cologne for a costume fitting.

48-year-old Claudia Brinker from Hennef and her husband were some of the first applicants. “I really enjoyed reading the books in the series. I like the 1920s. I’d like to have lived then.” She is dreaming of a role as an extra. But she would also like to play a singer. “I love Marlene Dietrich’s music from this era,” she said during the castings. She is now waiting longingly for a phone call. (Orig. text: Lorraine Dindas; translated by Kate Carey.)

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