Status: 17.10.2023, 17:56 PM
By: Rudolf Ogiermann
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"No more comfortable 'It'll be fine'": Margot (Franziska Walser) spontaneously joins the action of the climate stickers. As a result, the conflict escalates dramatically. © Bernd Schuller/ZDF
In "Dammed", worlds collide. Here the so-called climate stickers, there those who are stuck in traffic jams because of the activists. The most prominent actress in the new ZDF Neo series is Franziska Walser, who has a firm opinion on climate protection and the policies of the federal government.
They want to demonstrate for more climate protection, glue themselves to the streets – and thus cause chaos and a lot of aggression. Because "Pent Up" – which is also the title of this six-part ZDF Neo series by Matthias Thönissen and Zarah Schrade – has changed a lot, not only the frustration of the activists about the inaction of politicians. There is the parcel driver for whom every minute counts, the musician who has to take her cello to the important audition, the heavily pregnant woman who is stuck in a taxi on the way to the clinic. And then there is the old activist who spontaneously shows solidarity with the climate stickers – and ensures that the situation finally escalates. She is played by the Munich actress Franziska Walser (71).
Did you hesitate for a long time before agreeing to this project?
Franziska Walser: No. Right from the start, I thought it was very good that a social problem was being addressed in this form, and I hope that this will spark a debate, also between the generations. That's why I was very happy to participate. I also think this is important, because many of the actions of the climate stickers are seen rather negatively, which is also due to some media.
The film was shot in the open air, in the middle of Munich. And you must have stood out because you had to talk very loudly, not to shout. What was it like for you to play that?
Franziska Walser: It was exciting, a real adventure. A lot of people got curious because they thought this was a real demo. Of course, they were then informed that it was filming. An astonishing number of Munich residents were interested in it, and they liked what we were doing.
In your role, you mention that you demonstrated in Wackersdorf in your youth. Did you take to the streets yourself in the past?
Franziska Walser: Not when my children were small, later I took part in various demonstrations and rallies and spoke publicly. At the moment I'm going to the Fridays for Future demonstrations, which I'm doing for my grandchildren's generation.
Attracting the hatred of motorists: Anatol (Valentino Dalle Mura), Henning (Joachim Seemann), Lena (Valerie Stoll), Finn (Adrian Grünewald) and Franzi (Maria Goletz, from left). © Bernd Schuller/ZDF
What do you personally think about the so-called climate adhesives? Have you ever been stuck in a traffic jam because of this?
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Franziska Walser: No, not yet. And of course I can understand that people get annoyed when they get stuck because of it. On the other hand, especially in the city, you should think about which means of transport you use to get around. I do everything here by bike, I don't need a car in Munich, and I haven't flown for several years. I think that the train is usually a good way to get to your destination within Germany. However, I am not so intolerant as to say: everyone has to do it this way.
As Margot, you don't mince your words. She says that global warming will become the greatest crisis in human history, and that there must be an end to "this comfortable 'It'll be fine!'" Could these also be your own words?
Franziska Walser: I wouldn't put it that way, I'm all for differentiation. But if you want to create a debate, you have to say sentences like this.
And what would you like to see from politicians? Your character in the series complains that the Greens are "caving in" in the government...
Franziska Walser: You can see how hard it is for them. I can't understand the anger that many people have towards the entire traffic light government. Of course, a change of policy is difficult in a country that has such a significant car industry. But something like a speed limit would be easy to do. This is also the case in other European countries.
So the government is not doing enough for climate protection?
Franziska Walser: I don't think so, no. More needs to be done.
Many politicians seem to be terrified of the shift to the right...
Falling further and further behind: parcel driver Lew (Nicolas Garin) is still in his probationary period. His job is in jeopardy. © Bernd Schuller/ZDF
Franziska Walser: Yes, that's a problem. I don't know what to do at the moment. Of course, you can't force people to rip out their old heaters and change their behaviour from one day to the next. It's also a question of money. But the shift to the right is not just a reaction to climate policy. Although I do have the feeling that everything is connected to everything else. Of course, we also trigger these large waves of migration through how we treat the planet. At some point, it's a cost-benefit issue. Which is cheaper – climate protection or the consequences of migration? There are very clear calculations by scientists, and politicians know this too. But they are not clear about their convictions and so far they have not been able to find a rousing language to take the majority of people with them.
Transmission note:
ZDF Neo will show "Aufgeststau" this Wednesday from 23:10 p.m. in one go. All six episodes can also be viewed in the media library at any time.