LES AUTRES STUDIOS supported a fashion spread with Jannik Schümann for SCHÖN MAG!, which was photographed at Kino International in Berlin.
The actor can now be seen in the series ‘Disko76’, which was filmed in Berlin and Budapest with DoP Felix Poplawsky. In 1976, the disco wave takes the German town of Bochum by storm, shaking up the lives of Doro and her sisters. At the disco, they can live out their dreams and desires – and forget all the limits of normal life for a moment. In the lead roles are Jannik Schémann, Luise Aschenbrenner, and Jonas Holdenrieder.
SCHÖN MAG on the shoot: “Meeting Jannik Schümann is like meeting a long-lost friend. Outside a cafe in Berlin, Schümann meets Schön! at a time when both Spring and his career are in full bloom. The German actor is equal parts warm and approachable as he chats about his latest project, the mini-series. The series focuses on Doro, a woman who flees from her marriage, discovers disco, and falls for Robert, played by Schümann. It’s a role that, in a way, has made his career come full circle. He grew up as a child in the rural quarter of Hamburg and found a passion for music, dance, and theater. ‘Disko 76’ blends the aesthetic of the 70s and the secret discos where people were free to be who they are. For Schümann, who has championed characters and projects that uplift lesser-known stories, it’s a place to explore the societal norms in Germany in the 70s and what they meant for women. Meeting up for lunch, Schümann sits with Schön! to discuss what drew him to the role, why Germany needs to support more queer representation in the media, and more.
SCHÖN MAG interview by Raoul Keil : What was it about your character Robert in Disko 76 that drew you to the role?
Okay, I was drawn to it because of different things. I love to dance; it was always my dream to be part of a dance film. I grew up with John Travolta movies like ‘Grease’ and ‘Saturday Night Fever’. My favorite film is ‘Billy Elliot’. I saw the film when I was nine years old. From that day on, I was able to relate to Billy very much. I always wanted to be part of a dance film. That’s one reason, plus there are no dance film genres in Germany; it doesn’t really exist.
SCHÖN MAG: Not anymore. It was like a period in the ‘80s.
There was one production a few years ago, but this was more like the Flying Steps breakdance style. I was always waiting for a dance film or series, and then ‘Disko 76’ came around. That’s why I liked the project in general. In addition to that, what I really liked about Robert is that in the beginning, in the first episodes, you just think that he is the cool dance god on the dance floor. He’s like this typical, mature boy, but then you get to know him much better and you understand why he is doing what he does without saying too much. He experienced lots of bad things in his past, and he’s just looking for answers. That’s why he is in the western part of Germany – we tell the story of when Germany was still separated. I always look for characters who are not black or white, not good or bad. I’m looking for the in-between….
Tell me what you think should be normalized.
Queer life and the community need more representation. Last month, I saw ‘All Of Us Strangers’ with Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, and it was so special because, even if it was a queer story, their sexual orientation is not the main focus but the universal fear of losing your parents. So it is not a ‘queer film’ but a drama. In Germany, it would just be a ‘queer film’ and the actual premise of the film wouldn’t be that important. Our problem is that we’re always categorizing it that way, almost like queer life weren’t normal yet.
Yeah, it’s stereotypes a lot, and people think that queer stories means a love story.
Exactly. People wouldn’t watch it because it’s a queer story, and they wouldn’t be interested in that. The things the characters are struggling with are universal – they aren’t queer topics. I look forward to seeing more [queer stories] and also to being part of more queer projects in Germany without stereotypes.
The complete interview and making-of video are available via SCHÖN MAG!
CREDITS
Talent Jannik Schümann @jannik.schuemann
Photographer Alexander Courtman @alexandercourtman
Styling Gianluca Cococcia @wowgue
CD+Production Dirk Meycke @dirk.meycke
Grooming Sabrina Reuschl @sabrina.reuschl
Photographers Ass. Sinan Kollmar @sinan.kollmar
Video Markus Ostermeier @markusostermeier
Talent Management Marie-Claire Kozik @marieclaire.kozik
Location Kino International @yorck.kinogruppe @kinointernational
GoSee : lesautres-studios.com