Just as the ARD Sunday is reserved for crime thrillers, the ZDF slot was reserved for predictably romantic dramas against a dreamlike backdrop in “Rosamunde Pilcher” films and co. for many years. But that doesn’t seem to be set in stone anymore. The two-parter “Unterm Apfelbaum” was already running on two Sundays in October – also a good story with intelligent dialogues. “Family Anders”, a new Herzkino series, also comes without icing.
The focus of the entertaining films is the family of the couples therapist Fabian Anders (Moritz Treuenfels, 34), including marital problems, separation, nest model for the children, surrogate grandparents, new partners, patchwork… In addition to this horizontal story, Anders treats a couple in each episode, played by a real couple of actors. In the opening episode “Welcome to the Nest” (March 12), Tom and Tess Scharper, played by Gisa Flake (37) and Knud Riepen (42), sought his advice.
In the next episode “Two are one too many” (March 19, 8:15 p.m., ZDF) it’s Rebecca Renner and Mario Kortner. They are embodied by Bettina Zimmermann (47) and Kai Wiesinger (56). In the “Family Anders” film, Rebecca and Mario have been having an affair for eight years, but now Rebecca is fed up with her permanent status as a lover. She demands that Mario separate from his wife – which, contrary to expectations, he finally pulls through, even if it’s difficult for him. But instead of being happy about it, Rebecca throws herself into a new affair.
In an interview with spot on news, Zimmermann and Wiesinger explain what is special about the new series for Zimmermann and Wiesinger: “The series illuminates the small things of everyday life, living together as a couple and family. Especially nowadays it’s good and constructive , to reflect on yourself and not just on the world outside.”
The actress and the actor confirmed their love in early 2014. Since the end of December 2015, they are parents of a son together. Wiesinger also brought two daughters into the relationship. Zimmermann and Wiesinger like to stand together in front of the camera. “It depends on the roles. We really enjoy working together and if we like the book and the story, of course we’re happy not to be apart,” they explain of the criteria for their role selection. Standing in front of the camera together is “great,” they say. “We have the same timing and sense of humor so we’re having a lot of fun.” Of course, everyone has their own projects that they pursue on their own.
In the second episode “Family Anders”, in which the two are the main actors of the episode, it becomes clear that the Anders is a patchwork. Zimmermann and Wiesinger also know something other than classic family fashion privately. And yet: “We actually never use the word patchwork,” they say. To ensure that living together works, they rely on these moral maxims: “We assume that loyalty, sincerity and complete trust are basic requirements in every family in order to feel secure.”
The Anders family in the film chose the “nest model”. This means that the children stay in their home and the parents take turns moving in. “Honestly, we don’t know anyone who does it that way. But maybe it gives the kids a more consistent sense of home than when they’re the ones who have to commute back and forth between their parents,” say Zimmermann and Wiesinger. Her answer, on the other hand, is much more passionate when asked about the “surrogate grandparents”: “That can certainly be something very good for everyone involved. Unfortunately, our society here has developed in such a way that there is little room for old people, and there is no room for them in everyday life have more tasks or are even perceived as a burden. How nice it would be if we had more of each other again.” And they add: “If the right people are found, surrogate grandparents can certainly be a solution to many problems in everyday life.”
Although Bettina Zimmermann and Kai Wiesinger have not yet experienced couple therapy privately, they have created unforgettable memories on the idyllic “Family Anders” set just outside Leipzig. “It was wonderful to spend a few days together as a couple, without all the obligations of everyday life at home,” they enthused about the joint shoot.
