09/01/2007

Photo model and commercials actor, Nils Althaus, is making his acclaimed big screen debut, heading the bill as a young gang leader in the outskirts of Zurich in the film Breakout. Set against a backdrop of hip-hop, the drama by director Mike Eschmann (behind hit comedy Ready, Steady, Charlie!) opens on Swiss German screens on January 18.

Cineuropa: You are 25 years old, you hold a university diploma in Biochemistry and your career as an author-composer-actor is going quite well. How did you end up acting in films?
During my studies, I not only worked in music, I also started to work as a photo model and starred in some commercials. That was the first time I acted. It was the fashion agency that looked after me, which got me selected for the casting of Breakout.

How did you prepare for this first demanding role?
I worked on the development of the role with director Mike Eschmann and the head of casting Corinna Glaus. I then had intense rehearsals with the other actors. On top of that, I learned “züridütsch” (Zurich dialect, ed. note), took dance lessons, did bodybuilding and memorised my lines. It was an intense and wonderful experience: I’d never discovered and learned so many new things.

You will be representing Switzerland at the 2007 Shooting Stars at Berlin. What are your expectations?
I think it is a great opportunity for me to make myself known to a wider audience and take my first steps in Europe.

Are there any directors with whom you would like to work?
In Switzerland, Michael Steiner because he dares to do new things. Internationally, Pedro Almodóvar makes exciting and fascinating films, very demanding for the actors. The Dogma, movement aside, I’m interested in some Scandinavian filmmakers, such as Norway’s Pål Sletaune. German cinema also has excellent directors – names that come to mind for example are Sönke Wortmann or Wim Wenders.

Do you have concrete projects for the future?
Not for the moment, but I will continue training as an actor. I’d like to continue acting in Switzerland and soon hope to star in a German film.