Philipp Kadelbach (Director)
Philipp Kadelbach (Director)
Published: 13 February 2017
They have asked a German to tell the story of the Germans invading London – there is an irony to the whole thing.
What attracted you to SS-GB?
The script was extremely beautifully written. It was very exciting to read. I was not planning to do another period movie at the time, but the script was so strong, I couldn’t resist. It challenged me. Some of the scenes last 12 pages and are set in just one room. Usually these days’ scripts have really short scenes, lasting just 30 seconds. They need to climax very quickly. But this wonderful script takes its time; it is like the best from the old days.
Were you also drawn to the central character of Archer?
Yes. He’s torn. Characters who are indecisive and don’t know what to do next are fascinating. That ambivalence makes them very interesting. Archer’s a London police inspector who needs to work for the Germans because he wants to keep his son safe. There are so many things that unbalance his life, and that is really compelling.
What does Sam Riley bring to the role of Archer?
He’s just a brilliant actor. He’s a guy you have to like. He’s so sympathetic and so much fun. I love his movies. He’s a proper film star. He lives in Berlin, so we met for coffee one day, and immediately hit it off.
Tell us what Kate Bosworth’s strengths are in the role of Barbara?
Kate is really good as Barbara. She is very mysterious. You don’t know what she’s up to. She may or may not be involved with the Germans. She doesn’t give very much away. It’s really intriguing. If you want people to watch, you don’t want to make it too obvious what the characters’ agendas are.
Does it help that you’re a German director working on this particular story?
I think so. They have asked a German to tell the story of the Germans invading London – there is an irony to the whole thing. One other advantage is that I am working with German actors on SS-GB. It’s very brave of the BBC to cast real German actors – I really like that. I know all these actors from Germany. It helps that I can talk to them all in German.
What was your experience of working on SS-GB?
It was fantastic from the very first minute. Everyone welcomed me with open arms. There was a very disciplined working atmosphere on set. Every single person was hunting for the best. Everyone was so focused and really knew what they were doing. It was a very, very good experience. I’d love to come back and work in Britain again.
Is it vital that we keep recounting the story of the Nazis?
Definitely. Of course, it is unsettling to see Nazi iconography everywhere. But it was the most horrific time, and it is vital that we keep telling this story. It is always worth telling. There can’t be enough of these shows, even if we sometimes seem flooded by them. It’s crucial that younger generations keep hearing this story. Even if people seem tired of it, we need to tell it over and over again. It must never happen again.
