Mehmet Kurtulus (51) plays the opaque BKA official Cuma Ozan, who is suspected of murder, in the exciting two-part crime thriller “Mordach – Tod in den Bergen” (April 27/29, 8:15 p.m., the first). He has to endure some very xenophobic attacks from the people of the mountain village. The German-Turkish actor, who made his breakthrough with Fatih Ak?n’s (49) “Short and Painless” (1998) and who received one of his two Grimme Awards for his role as the popular “Tatort” investigator Cenk Batu (2008-2011). , tells in an interview with spot on news, among other things, what experiences he has had with “everyday racism”.
Mehmet Kurtulus: For Detective Chief Inspector Cuma Ozan it’s indeed going from bad to worse. For him, the move from Frankfurt to Mordach turns out to be a move from one mafia clan to the next. If you look at my character from Mordach, you will curse the investigator, but if you look at the xenophobic village from my perspective, you will probably think the opposite. One of the great achievements in life is being able to change your perspective. Beyond the investigative work, the story tells of resentment and xenophobia – that really heats up the mood in Mordach. Each figure is now forced to fly the flag. This also shows the inner turmoil of each character, who can only be a follower in this poisoned atmosphere and is not allowed to do what she actually wants.
Kurtulus: In contrast to Cuma Ozan in Mordach, I rarely experienced that directly in the face. However, I know people in my environment who had to make these experiences. But I’m sure that behind my back sayings or even decisions were made under these auspices. If you then hear a whisper on the street or on the bus and speak to that person, I have often experienced in such situations of everyday racism that people usually do not keep their word – not publicly.
Kurtulus: With “Mordach” we were a half German, half Italian team and had several languages ??on the set. I feel very comfortable in such a working environment, because it’s all about communication – and putting your heart on the table. Everyone has the same goal, everyone wants to tell the same story and we celebrate film together. The technical implementation has more of a statistical value. When that is given, a film comes out.
Kurtulus: The set language is mostly English. Then, of course, there is the shooting language. However, if you shoot together for weeks, it is inevitable that at some point you will also be able to speak a little of the other languages. For example, my Spanish developed on the set of “Into The Night” through my colleagues from Madrid. They were also my neighbors in Brussels. It’s simply fun.
Kurtulus: It was breathtaking. For me it was like entering another world. It’s always exciting and I like it a lot when nature becomes another character in the film and then plays a role in its own way. It enriches every production. It was the same here. We had rain for days – morning, noon, evening. Cold, heat and differences in altitude have to be endured – also physically.
Kurtulus: I really like doing that because I feel like a part of it. It’s important to spend time alone to get the opportunity to listen to your own head. This works wonderfully in such moments as a walk or even hiking.
