Recommendations of the Editorial team
Has Til Schweiger already asked to receive at least a guest role in the “School of Magic Animals”? For years, the grim beau produced one most successful film of the year after the other. Now Margit Auer’s children’s novels have taken this role around young school friends, whose animal companions dominate all sorts of magical tricks. Part three of the series was the most successful film in 2024. From October 2, 2025, the new strip will come to cinemas.
As a new magical animal, the (digitally generated) monkey Fitzggeraldo is there, who in his manic moments with wide eyes actually approached his film model Klaus “Fitzcarraldo” Kinski. The freerunner Miriam (Tomomi Themann), who suffers from bullying, is new in Winterstein School. But the school itself is also in danger-a school challenge has to decide whether it is closed.
Rolling Stone met the cast at the film premiere in Berlin.
Purnima, you have not received a magical animal in the film. How do you like that?
Purnima Grätz (Leonie): To be honest, I feel honored that I did not receive a magical animal, but was still able to play such a big role. Let’s see what else is coming!
Which was your favorite scene in the film?
Emilia Maier (Ida): The conclusion. It was our last scene. Very emotional.
Thilo Fridolin Matthes (Max): Without wanting to betray something, as well as the final scene.
Loris Sichrovsky (Jo): We take part in Schulchallenges. Each one of them was great fun.
Leonard Conrads (Benni): I don’t want to reveal too much. But I particularly like a scene in which I rap.
Luis Vorbach (Silas): Clearly the dance scenes.
Emilia Pieske (Helene): Probably the one in the cave, which was most atmospheric.
Purnima Grätz (Leonie): Leonie’s birthday party, I thought she was cool.
Were the dance scenes difficult to learn?
Emilia Maier (Ida): It was exhausting, went over several days – but we had a great choreographer.
Luis Vorbach (Silas): In the beginning it was difficult, yes. After a few intensive sessions it went!
Emilia Pieske (Helene): It actually worked. The choreographer guided us well. I also like hip -hop privately, I was already in rhythm.
Purnima Grätz (Leonie): Sure, they were exhausting – all the more beautiful than we do on it. I dance privately too.
Were there moments when shooting you knew: that will look really cool?
Emilia Maier (Ida): When Tomomi runs her course, I knew: that will look great. But I also like the scenes in which I ride my bike through the city.
Thilo Fridolin Matthes (Max): As soon as the cameramen drive up a crane, I know: Now it will be really good.
Loris Sichrovsky (Jo): Every time the classroom is rebuilt in the studio, which is simply fascinating. The classroom increases every time.
Leonard Conrads (Benni): So many good locations in four films. I could hardly decide.
Luis Vorbach (Silas): We made so many settings for the dance scenes that I realized – that is cut great.
Emilia Pieske (Helene): Probably the “boxing ring” scene. The school challenge, i.e. school against school.
Purnima Grätz (Leonie): Perhaps those moments when you turn so much that you don’t think so much about what you are doing – and you play freely.
Which is your favorite song from all four parts?
Emilia Maier (Ida): “Good Night” from the fourth part.
Thilo Fridolin Matthes (Max): “My heart screams Yeah”. A complete catchy tune. But I’m also very excited about the rest of the soundtrack of part four.
Leonard Conrads (Benni): “So are pirates” of course!
Loris Sichrovsky (Jo): “Our Gang” from part one.
Luis Vorbach (Silas): “Our Gang” was definitely a song that we had often heard on the set. Simply to get in the mood.
Emilia Pieske (Helene): In the current film there is the song “I am a star” that is only briefly recorded – the full version is available on the soundtrack.
Purnima Grätz (Leonie): My heart screams yeah. “I combine a lot with the song, also because I sing it.
Bullying is an issue in the film. What did you do about it yourself?
Thilo Fridolin Matthes (Max): Fortunately, I have never had to have a bullying experience. I neither had to experience it myself nor have to see it. If you notice something like that: please become active and intervene – not stand next to it.
Leonard Conrads (Benni): If I had noticed something around my environment, I was immediately concerned with being there for this bullied person.
Loris Sichrovsky (Jo): Even if I have no points of contact with bullying – it is, as Leonard says: being there for someone is very important.
Luis Vorbach (Silas): School has been with me so long! Bullying was not a big topic for me, even if you were sometimes annoyed a little. I was sometimes missing in school, then I was on shooting. Some classmates didn’t like that so well.
Emilia Pieske (Helene): If someone wanted to bully me, I confronted her or him directly. I was very straight there.
The questions asked child reporters Ted.