“I’ve shed my own complex physical shame”

By Markus Tschiedert

In “Freibad” (from September 1st in cinemas), Andrea Sawatzki, directed by Doris Dörrie, visits a bathing establishment as Eva, which is exclusively intended for women. But when women from other cultures are allowed in in burkinis, she is vehemently outraged. BZ spoke to Andrea Sawatzki.

BZ: How often do you go to an outdoor pool?

Andrea Sawatzki: Never! I hate being judged.

You live at the Schlachtensee, but that’s where you would be recognized if you went into the water there…

Sawatzki: Yes, but you basically walk through the bushes into the water.

Why do you find public bathing so uncomfortable?

I can identify with Doris Dörrie, who said that she hadn’t been to an open-air pool since she was 13 because the feeling of well-being with her own body was destroyed by the first comments. I don’t think any girl is spared that.

What exactly?

The judgment you are subjected to, which in most cases leads you to look too closely and find a lot of weaknesses. I also think that it’s not much different with boys these days. Unfortunately, what is fatal is increasing.

You mean what social media triggers in young people?

Absolutely! Of course women have more rights today and they may feel safer. But social media commentary is at a dire peak right now.

What do you personally think of a bathroom that, like in the film, is only accessible to women?

Wouldn’t really be something for me either… I don’t know if that would really make me freer than if there were a few more men there.

How did you react when Doris Dörrie offered you the role of Eva? Your character in the film can’t stand the fact that women in burkinis are now visiting the bathroom?

I accepted without hesitation, although Eva also has some “spicy” scenes. But the woman interested me. Eva is very contrary. On the one hand quite uninhibited and sometimes aggro, but in reality totally sensitive. There was a lot to play with… Eva lives out something that would scare me as Andrea. I actually think I would give her a wide berth if I saw her lying there in the pool. She believes she is immensely tolerant of other women because she has fought for women’s freedom all her life. But she is subject to a mirage…

How so?

Well, basically she would have liked it if the other women would dance to her tune. She doesn’t question why some outdoor pool guests wear burkinis, she accuses them. I think the question arises while watching: How tolerant am I actually when I see a woman in a burqa? what are my real thoughts

Are there situations in which you feel unfree as a woman?

Relatively common. For example, I got that just before my 50th birthday, when everyone asked me: “You’re going to be 50 soon. How do you feel about that?” It sounded as if I could only work with my walker. That irritated me, and I was annoyed that you can talk to us women so openly and without being asked about our age. That’s actually a no go. I find these questions absolutely impolite and ultimately discriminatory. 50 may be on the list, but I still feel young and I’m actually still the same. Incidentally, this is not getting any better, despite MeToo and all the discussions about women’s rights. I’m approaching 60 now and the questioning is starting again.

Eva even goes into the water topless. Did you find this scene rather difficult?

Doris Dörrie and I had a few talks beforehand because I was worried that the role of Eva might be confused with me as Andrea. But in the end you can only play a role like that if you take it and its idiosyncrasies seriously. The moment I played Eva we merged and I shed my own quite complex physical shame.