By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) Vera is 16 years old going on 25 (as she claims to be). How was she originally described to you?
A) In three words: unpredictable, stubborn — and absolutely adorable.
Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the movie?
A) My co-stars were truly a blessing. I only knew Enno Trebs beforehand — we went to acting school together, performed in theatre together and even shared a flat once. The others were all new to me, but working with them felt like jamming music — spontaneous, alive, full of rhythm. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, as soon as the opportunity arises.
Q) Did it take you slipping into the 1975 costumes to find your way into Vera’s mind?
A) Of course, costumes help us actors. They shape the look and visual concept of a film. But with Köln 75, the most important criterion for any costume piece was how I could move in it. Vera is such an energetic character, constantly in motion. Whenever I tried something on that made me move, we kept it — if it made me stand still, it simply wasn’t right for Vera.
Q) John Magaro is sensational as Keith Jarrett. What is it about Keith Jarrett’s performance(s) that captivates Vera so? The passion? The talent? The sound?
A) You’ve named it all. I’d just add that Keith’s music felt like a calling to Vera — she knew the world needed to hear it. And she was absolutely right. The world did need that music; after all, it remains the best-selling solo piano jazz album of all time.
Q) Talk about working with director/writer Ido Fluk.
A) Ido Fluk is my Vera Brandes. He helped me grow as an actress and every award I received this year feels at least half his.
Let me share a little secret about working with Ido: when you make a biopic, it’s easy to get caught up in perfectly imitating the person you’re portraying. But what he did was extraordinary — and deeply courageous. He gave me just two rules for playing Vera:
First, never stop moving.
Second, don’t try to make it right. Try to fail. Try the unknown.
So, in the end, he didn’t just tell a story about artistic freedom — Ido Fluk actually lived it.
Q) Did you and the older version of Vera – Susanne Wolff – to work out how to connect your two performances?
A) Sure, on different levels. We wanted the audience to stay emotionally connected to her at all times. We couldn’t afford to be distracted by two separate styles of performance.
Q) The film is wild and free and full of sex, drugs and certainly jazz! What were some of your favorite scenes to shoot for the movie?
A) Definitely the climactic scene where Vera confronts Keith Jarrett — brilliantly played by John Magaro — in the hotel room. We filmed that scene on the very last day of shooting. We had been building up to it for weeks, carrying that tension for so long, that when we finally shot it the first take, we knew instantly — that was it. We had it.
Q) A quote from the movie says, “Music can wake you up.” What message do you hope lingers with audiences that view this film?
A) Start moving and doing.
Q) What did you personally take away from your time working on Köln 75?
A) What makes Köln 75 so special is that it’s not your typical music film about a genius rising to stardom. Vera is an ordinary girl — no extraordinary talent, no money — but what she has is passion and an unstoppable drive. Even when people tell her, “You can’t do this, it’s impossible,” she persists. She finds a way to make it happen against all odds. In many ways, we all carry a little bit of Vera Brandes within us.
Q) Are you able to tease some other upcoming projects you have in the works?
A) Next year, a Netflix film will be released based on the true story of young people saving refugees from the Mediterranean Sea — people who would have otherwise drowned. They saved more than 40,000 lives. I was lucky to work alongside incredible co-stars, including Louis Hofmann (Dark). Beyond that, I’m excited to say that there’s even more to come.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do on our screens?
A) Go to the movies! Spread the word. Move, stop, listen.