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Erdoğan Atalay:

"Jostling is unthinkable!"

[Draengeln geht nicht !]

Interview published by Welt.de on September 3, 2009

Link to original German article è here

For already 14 years Erdogan Atalay is chief inspector Semir Gerkan who fights car thieves, gangsters and desperados on German roads. Over the years "Alarm For Cobra 11 - The Highway Police" became the most successful German action series. A lot of stunt awards und sold licences all over the world prove its success. The actor, whose family's roots are in Turkey, does in spite of that not believe anything could last forever. Subsequently he already created a contingency plan for the time after the series. During this interview, which was substantiated in a cheerful manner, he revealed it for us.

Ricore: Hello Mr Atalay. How are you doing?

Atalay: Quite well. After not having used my bicycle for ten years, I am now trying to get it into the boot of my car. But it didn't work out yet. I didn't expect it it would turn out being that bulky. So it occurs that there is no other way than to take it to pieces. But apart from that I am doing alright (laughing).

Ricore: We are talking about what kind of car?

Atalay: The family car, which is a Volvo. Usually all kinds of things fit in there. But now everything has to be stored really impeccably safe, because we are accompagnied by our daughter. Even if anything whatsoever is wobbled, it mustn't leave its place after all.

Ricore: But you've got several other cars...

Atalay: Right, a Maserati 3200 GT and a car which is currently driven by my father-in-law: Triumph Spitfire, built in 1969. Also we own a Mini Cooper.

Ricore: Not bad at all. Would you call yourself a car fanatic then?

Atalay: Somehow indeed. I am interested in designs. Despite that I usually simply feel that cars cause just too much expenses.

Ricore: Do you enjoy driving fast?

Atalay: You bet I do! But only once I am sure there is nothing in my way. Jostling is something I don't approve of in the slightest.

Ricore: Regarding that you are not like the fictional Semir Gerkan who you play in "Alarm For Cobra 11 - The Highway Police"...

Atalay: Not at all. If I am going somewhere privately, the pursuit mode is deactivated (laughing). I feel that car traffic and aggressions don't mix. Some people are inclined to forget that behind the anonymity of car glass there are real humans, perhaps children or just an unexperienced driver. They just indulge themselves to jostling without restraints. I can't stand that at all.

Ricore: Have you already been interested in cars, highways and speeding when you became involved in the series 14 years ago?

Atalay: You live up to it. During my first stunt I was afraid of knocking off a dog. When I approached him closely, I knew exactly when I had to hit the brakes but I kept more distance than actually required, because I was afraid of hitting him. For my second stunt they nailed my shoes onto the bonnet, then they've placed me in the car, and then we were on our way in the middle of the traffic.

Ricore: Do you remember any certain stunt as particularly dangerous or thrilling?

Atalay: I perceive especially jumping from huge heights as spectacular. Once I had to jump backwards from the "Messeturm" (trade fair tower) and another time from the (another famous high building in Germany:) "Pascha". That was rather exciting.

Ricore: Are you very proud about your stunts?

Atalay: Once I had to put down a row of barrels with the back of my car. But before that the car's differential had been torn to pieces. Of course the car had to be regarded as kaput. The stuntman just said: "You simply hit the brakes at the right point in time and off go the barrels!" I asked him how I was supposed to get it done? I thought that never in my whole life I could possibly accomplish that with this broken car and everything. But I did it. That's something I still proudly remember.

Ricore: Do you still do your own stunts?

Atalay: Only if we are really visible. There is no point in turning over the car myself, which requires a helmet and full gear, so that there is no way that the audience will see anything of the driver. Thus things are of course taken care of by professional stunt guys, because that's just their job. We have a fantastic crew and we go back for many years. We know what we are capable of and what they can do, so it can sometimes be arranged that we do certain things on our own.

Ricore: That does imply you need to have a whole lot of confidence, doesn't it?

Atalay: Yes, unconditioned confidence. That is unbelieveably important. I am only permitted to work with guys whose reputation is acknowledged by our team. People who have worked with us already and who are subsequently familiar with our work. Recently I was in a photo shooting where I was dangling from ropes that were made of tear-proof tissue. I had to take my time to get used to the idea, since we are usually working with ropes that are made out of steel. So I checked everything myself once again, even though the guys there knew what they were doing. Still you don't feel comfortable if you haven't known those people yet.

Ricore: You are all the time running, jumping and falling off something, so how do you keep yourself in shape?

Atalay: The series keeps me fit (laughing). I just don't have the time to anything else, since actually I am an idle man.

Ricore: So, there is no going to the gym or jogging?

Atalay: No, but I am just starting to do again some martial arts. If I have the chance, I also go running on inline skates or diving. Suchlike things. But if you are talking about situps, I don't do them. We are always in action, so you can't get that quickly out of shape.This series itself is a kind of stamina training.

Ricore: You are playing Semir Gerkan for 14 years. In September 2009 the 15th saison of "Alarm For Cobra 11 - The Highway Police" is going to start. It doesn't put you into danger to get schizophrenic, does it?

Atalay: Sometimes I go shopping with Semir, even though we wear different clothes. Sometimes I steal clothes from him, since they fit well. When we are buying shoes, it is even more interesting. But no, I am not endangered to lose my own personality. But after work I am each time a little agitated. I need to take my time before I can get rid of it all. For example I can't just return home and go to bed while I have to prepare for the next day. It usually takes me to 2-3 hours until I am relaxed, then I take care of private matters and then I am finally ready to have some sleep. The glamour you would expect is perhaps somewhere at the periphery of it all, but we couldn't take advantage of it because we don't have time for that.

Ricore: Are there thing you like or dislike about Semir?

Atalay: Interesting question. I like his ability to assert himself. That is something we have a bit in common. He is less impatient than I am. That is what I like about him in particular. Neither is he the typical hero. He gets hurt, can be afraid and doesn't swagger around as perhaps shown in other action films. Especially if he is at home with his wife, he behaves like so many other men- he's quite sensitive. But I like this conception a lot. There are no supermen, we are all human after all. I feel every spectator can find a piece of himself therein.

Ricore: So, you are impatient?

Atalay: That goes indeed for my current issue with my bicycle, in particular when I am scratching my car's tailgate. Alright then. In spite of it all he is a brave bloke. He lets himself get involved in situations where I would actually stay out, unless it is about my family or friends.

Ricore: So you would say that you are courageous when it comes to it, wouldn't you?

Atalay: There is a sweet story with my daughter. When we were on holidays on Mauritius, we strolled through the remaining last rest of the jungle. I asked my daughter whether she was afraid of the tigers. She stated she wasn't because I was with her. I was very moved and close to tears. My daughter trusted I had a chance to defeat a tiger.

Ricore: What did you tell her about that?

Atalay: I told her: "Darling, I wouldn't make it easy for the tiger, no matter what."

Ricore: Can you imagine a live after "Cobra 11"?

Atalay: What are you now getting at - my decease?

Ricore: Of course not, really!

Atalay: There's a life after everything. Ceasing would certainly feel strange for me too, since the series and the persons involved have in the meantime become a part of me. Getting attached to people comes naturally as a result of emotions and stories you've gone through. Well, it is not all in my hands. Others decide that, first of all the audience. Of course there will be a life after "Cobra 11". But I am not praparing it. I like to keep on making "Cobra 11" as long as I can. But besides that I write my own screenplays. I have just recently accomplished one which I would also like to realise. So, things keep going.

Ricore: But you don't have to be seriously worried about the audience of "Cobra 11", have you?

Atalay: An audience can be quite moody. You never know what's up. The series is evidently successful. Hitherto I thought every year that it would come to an end. But that didn't happen- lucky me! We'll see. I do hope it keeps going, since we've just filmed a really fine pilot for our new season. If you had a recipe for the audience, you could make prosperous films in succession, but you can never tell beforehand. There is so much that can occur. There is no safe place in film business.

Ricore: Just during the last years more and more women joined the fan community.

Atalay: I couldn't say, but maybe. Of course the series is not only aiming at men. Semir is now a husband and a father. That introduces of course little relationship issues to the series. But perhaps it is because of my partner Tom Beck, who happens to be a real womaniser. He is truly an asset and likewise a stunning actor and a good collegue.

Ricore: Do you pass your little private issues on to the screenplays?

Atalay: You can however understand certain things such as jealousy or something. Being an actor, you use of course private experience which has been collected over the years, and also you depend on the conception of the role itself. For example you don't have to be a murderer in order to play one. When I was a student of acting I always wanted to play King Lear. They wouldn't allow me to do that at those days. Nowadays I understand that the life experience of this character is overwhelmingly bigger than whatever you can have while you are still 20 years old.

Ricore: Would you regard it as an option to return to playing theatre?

Atalay: Let me say how much I appreciate filming. I've got here more chances to show what's important for me. I don't feel being dragged to the theatre by all means, it depends on what is offered. Well, I have worked in a lot of plays at the theatre, but in filming I feel I am taken care of in a better way. Of course one can do the both of them but I am a writer of screenplays and no playwright, so it occurs to me that my future is more likely in filming.

Ricore: You've just mentioned offers. Are you for producers and directors already marked as the eternal Semir Gerkan?

Atalay: After so many years it comes just naturally that you are perceived as connected to a certain role. Unfortunately this is a typical German phenomenon. It is different in the USA, in the United Kingdom or France. There it is normal that actors, who are participating in TV series for many years, can still do lots of other things all the time. I've also done other things in the meantime. But also the spectators have had the opportunity to get familiar to many facets of this certain character. You aren't on your own when you play another role, you are always part of a different environment. The credibility created by you will also support other characters.

Ricore: Would you like to go to the USA?

Atalay: No, I was never dreaming about going to the USA. In the beginning of my studies I've sent an application there, but it would have cost an incredible amount of money. So I dropped these plans quickly. I appreciate Europe. I love it that we produce here an increasing number of films. However, the feelings displayed in the plots are everywhere the same and can subsequently be told everywhere instead of going to the USA.

Ricore: Back to the series: The pilot of the new season is based on a topic of dreadful relevance. Has that been the intention?

Atalay: Well, so you've watched it already?

Ricore: Yes.

Atalay: And how did you like it? We'll see how it is perceived. Hopefully well, since we believe likewise that we've done a good job. The screenplay and the production had been stipulated much earlier. No matter when we would have made the film, it would always have imparted a certain relevance, either because of the Bird Flu or the Sars Virus or just the Swine Flu. There is always an alleged or a real epidemic. The choice of this topic was a coincidence.

Ricore: What else besides a possible epidemic will confront the spectators of "Cobra 11" during the new season?

Atalay: A whole lot of. Some private stories of course, which will work out in a very emotional way. In general you will have a déjà-vu, but we can't have a standstill and subsequently we took everything to the next level. Looking at the current season I believe we've really achieved that.

Ricore. Doesn't this continuous augmentation sooner or later lead to a final climax?

Atalay. Well, you make improvements in some ways by telling certain stories funnier and more spectacular or by involving new ingredients. It is our intention that thus elements, which are not necessarily part of an action film, shall be developed further. Regarding that "Cobra 11" is kind of a playground. We also keep on shaping the characters, chief inspectors, gangsters and good and bad in general. But you mustn't forget we have only 45 minutes to tell a story. Therefore it is often not easy for the authors to abstain from stereotypes. You always start from scratch and introduce new characters, which can't be done with just two words.

Ricore: When the authors introduced Hartmut, they've accomplished a coup de grâce...

Atalay: I agree on that. Hartmut had his debut in a pilot. In the first place he was supposed to become my partner but that didn't work out(laughing). It is really a great character, I like it a lot. He has lines that are incredibly difficult to deliver, because they are merely meant to be explanations, which have although to be told in an agitating manner. I recognise this as is hard. I rather be in situations where I can act on emotions.

Ricore: Semir lives in general on chips with mayonnaise and ketchup. What does your nourishment look like?

Atalay: When it comes to that I am still in the stone age. I appreciate great cuisine and like to eat out well but I am not interested in caviar, champagne or other specialities. Honestly, I like noodles and tomato sauce best. Perhaps childish, but for sure yummy. I like the simple things.

Ricore: Are you cooking yourself?

Atalay: No, but I can prepare good salads! I like Balsamico vinegar, in particular such with only 2-3 percents of acid. That is unfortunately very expensive. Now there is something new and I recommend it: A blend of herbs and Balsamico, having the consistence of sirup and being incredibly yummy.

Ricore: Thank you very much for this recommendation and the interview.

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Translation by Joachim Schulz - so many thanks !

Online September 19, 2009