Highlights from Collider Ladies Night Featuring Leonie Benesch
- Dive into the latest episode of Collider Ladies Night with September 5 star Leonie Benesch, as she shares her insights and experiences.
- In her engaging conversation with Collider?s Perri Nemiroff, Benesch reflects on her breakthrough roles in film and television, including acclaimed projects like The White Ribbon and The Crown.
- She elaborates on her preparation for her role as Marianne Gebhardt, a German interpreter, in the upcoming film September 5.
Just a year after receiving a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars for The Teachers? Lounge, an impressive milestone marking her first lead role, Leonie Benesch is once again making waves on the awards circuit with Tim Fehlbaum?s thought-provoking film, September 5, which portrays the harrowing events of the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics.
This gripping film boasts a stellar cast, featuring Benesch alongside John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplin, and others, all portraying members of the ABC Sports broadcasting team in Munich. The narrative shifts dramatically from sports coverage to the live reporting of the hostage situation involving Israeli athletes, marking a pivotal moment in broadcasting history. September 5 uniquely presents the story through the eyes of the broadcasting team, delving deep into the complexities of advanced broadcasting techniques and the moral responsibilities tied to them, themes that resonate more profoundly in today?s media landscape.
As September 5 rolls out across theaters on January 17th, I had the privilege of joining Benesch for a Collider Ladies Night discussion, where we revisited her remarkable journey in film and television, and explored the intensive preparation required to authentically portray a translator in this impactful film.
Leonie Benesch Makes Her Mark on the Awards Circuit with Her Debut Film
?I didn’t know anything, and I just felt quite overwhelmed at the time.?
While many aspiring actors may spend years waiting for their chance to collaborate with filmmaking legends, Benesch had the extraordinary opportunity to work with Michael Haneke on her very first feature film, the 2009 drama <em>The White Ribbon</em>.
Without any formal training prior to this project, I asked her to share her thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of entering such a high-profile film without a traditional background. She reflected:
?The pro is that because you don’t know anything, you are very innocent. That innocence allows you to experience everything for the first time?there’s a beauty and a vulnerability in that which often gets lost over time. The con, if you could call it that, was that I was a bit too young. It was my first film, and when we ended up getting nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, I was just 18 years old in LA. I felt completely unprepared for the world of high heels, styling, and press. I really didn’t know anything, and I was quite overwhelmed during that time.?
Despite the initial overwhelm, this experience heightened Benesch?s understanding of a crucial aspect of an acting career: the importance of having a supportive team. She elaborated:
?As an actor, especially when starting out, it?s essential to surround yourself with a trustworthy team that truly understands who you are. I?ve been fortunate in this regard. Although I recently began working with my American publicist team, their attentiveness to my identity has been invaluable. It?s crucial to avoid situations where one feels pressured to act in ways that don?t align with their true self or to wear clothes that make them uncomfortable. Your team should resonate with who you are and support your authenticity.?
Collaborating with an Acting Idol: A Dream Come True
?I was genuinely a little starstruck from the beginning to the end of that shoot.?
In addition to her exceptional behind-the-scenes team, Benesch has had the privilege of working alongside several notable actors on screen. She specifically praised her September 5 co-star, John Magaro, who portrays Geoff, a newly determined television producer facing immense challenges.
?I felt a strong connection with John in our approach to the work. We never explicitly discussed it, but it seemed we shared a common understanding of showing up and delivering our best performance. I might be mistaken, but there was a feeling of having a kindred spirit in him throughout the process.?
Benesch also reminisced about her incredible experience working on the 2021 TV series Around the World in 80 Days, where she had the chance to collaborate with one of her acting heroes, David Tennant.
?Working on Around the World in 80 Days with my idol, David Tennant, was a dream come true. He embodies everything I aspire to be as an actor?dedicated, kind, and exceptionally talented. He can deliver lengthy monologues that seem overly dramatic on paper, yet he brings them to life with such authenticity that it moves everyone to tears. I was genuinely starstruck throughout the entire shoot, often struggling to remember I was acting alongside him. It was a delightful challenge, especially since I had not tackled comedy before, and he is a master at it.?
Leonie Benesch Attributes Her Success in Film & TV to Two Influential Figures
While working with renowned actors and having a capable publicist is advantageous, an actor’s career truly takes off through strategic casting opportunities. Benesch was fortunate to receive significant support from a legendary German casting director, Simone Bär, who sadly passed away in 2023.
?Simone Bär was a remarkable figure in the German film industry, recognized internationally. She was an Academy member and responsible for casting many major international projects in Germany. She discovered me through a children’s agency for The White Ribbon. She saw potential in my face and invited me to audition. While I know that Haneke appreciated my work, it took five rounds of auditions for me to secure my role. After attending Guildhall for three years, I returned to the industry with Babylon Berlin, which she also cast, declaring that the part was perfect for me. Simone was instrumental in suggesting to Ilker Çatak, the director of The Teachers? Lounge, that I should have my first lead role.?
Alongside her casting partner, Alexandra Montag, Bär played a crucial role in shaping Benesch?s career trajectory. ?They have consistently kept me in mind over the years, significantly influencing my professional path.? Benesch affectionately referred to September 5 as ?the last gift Simone gave me.?
Mastering the Art of Translation for Her Role
?That is a very specific and unique skill.?
During her preparation for September 5, Benesch recognized that mastering the role of Marianne, a translator, required specialized skills. Although she is fluent in two languages, she sought guidance from a professional translator who regularly works at the UN to understand the nuances of simultaneous translation.
?I find the ability to translate simultaneously incredibly fascinating. I met with a translator in Berlin, who explained the mental state they enter while performing this skill. You might have seen simultaneous translators in press conferences, where they seem to switch into a focused zone, effortlessly speaking the words they hear in another language as the speaker continues. It’s mind-blowing, and our discussion was enlightening as I sought to capture that focus for Marianne.?
Additionally, Benesch gleaned intriguing insights from her translator mentor:
?I was curious about the confidential nature of their work, asking how many secret meetings they attend and the NDAs they sign. I was shocked when she revealed that sometimes she becomes so engrossed in translating that she might not fully comprehend what she just said. It’s a testament to the concentration required. Although I didn’t adopt that aspect for Marianne, who is quite aware of her surroundings, I appreciated the meditative state necessary for accurate translation and incorporated that focus into her character.?
An Essential Change to a Key Scene in ?September 5?
?We wanted to trust that we were making the film that we thought we were making, and not mistrust the audience at the end.?
As filming for September 5 commenced, Benesch anticipated that the scenes requiring simultaneous translation would pose the greatest challenge. Ironically, she discovered that those were not the most difficult moments. She explained:
?Initially, I thought the simultaneous translation scenes would be the hardest, but they turned out to be quite manageable. Conversely, the climactic scene between Marianne and Jeff, where they discuss the events of that day, proved to be much more challenging. The original script felt off, and we all sensed that something wasn?t quite right.?
When the time came to address this pivotal scene, Benesch and Magaro worked collaboratively to enhance its impact by fostering trust in their audience.
?When it was time to film, we had a challenging yet constructive discussion about the characters and what words they might use. The original script felt overly explanatory, undermining the film’s narrative. We aimed to trust our audience, reducing the dialogue to allow the emotional weight of what was left unsaid to shine through. This evolution required effort, but Tim, being a collaborative director, welcomed our input, making the process rewarding. Thanks to John?s brilliance as a scene partner, we ultimately captured the right tone for that crucial scene.?
If you’re eager to learn more about Benesch’s experiences while working on September 5, The Crown, Babylon Berlin, and beyond, you can check out our full Collider Ladies Night conversation in the video at the top of this article, or listen to the interview in podcast form below:
