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LMGI COMPASS
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Summer 2021
Often only Uli, Kai and I drive around to look at locations. That's
almost the nicest part of the job. Everything is still so calm and
peaceful at that stage… Before the battle begins.
Any resistance from residents or government o™cials about reproducing
this period of history?
No, actually. In general, I would say the opposite is true. There is
great interest in the Weimar Republic and the time before the Nazi
terror regime began. In proportion, there are not many films or
series that illuminate this time. Babylon Berlin is fiction, but the
background is historically correct.
As in all cities where a lot of films are made, there are always some
residents with a certain tiredness toward filming. Everyone likes to
watch a crime thriller on Sunday evening, but if someone is planning
to shoot in front of their homes, a lot of people are complaining.
Mostly it's because of parking and road closures. Often you can take
away a lot of the heat by simply listening to the concerns of those
people and working something out. The acceptance is higher for
Babylon Berlin, and people often tell us that they are big fans of the
show. That never fails to make us happy.
Was the author of the eight books, Volker Kutscher, consulted or involved
in any way? If yes, how? If no, why not?
Yes, but not on our working level. The three directors are in contact
with him. He's a nice person with obviously a lot of knowledge and
as you can see from the details in his books, he wants everything
to be perfect.
His novels can be read like a city map. The buildings, street
names and distances are correct. That impressed us very much and
of course, also encouraged us to continue to work on this high level.
Babylon Berlin is taking historical correctness very seriously. This
is not always completely possible, but architecture, vehicles, props,
everything usually fits very well into the time period.
Did the books help you in your location searches?
The scripts are based on Volker Kutscher's originals. The three
Charlottenburg Town Hall
