Actor Sebastian Ströbel has been with the “Bergrettern” on ZDF for ten years. He has now put his experiences into a book.
Sebastian Ströbel (47) celebrates his anniversary. The actor has been the face of the ZDF hit series “Die Bergretter” for ten years. In 2014 he took on the role of Markus Kofler for the first time, who has now completed numerous mountain rescues. On set he is always supported by more experienced mountain rescuers such as Heri Eisl and Mathias Ragg. The actor shoots most of the action scenes himself. All of his adventures and experiences are now available to read in a book. “The mountain rescuers. My experiences filming and what I learned from the real mountain rescuers” will be published by Gräfe and Unzer Verlag on October 7th. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Sebastian Ströbel reveals what fans of the series can particularly look forward to in the book and how much of a “real mountain rescuer” there is in it.
Where did the idea of writing a book about “The Mountain Rescuers” come from?
Sebastian Ströbel: This idea was always in the back of my mind because the mountain rescue, the filming and the whole area are just great. When the GU publishing house came to me and suggested a joint project with mountain rescuer Heri Eisl and me, I was immediately enthusiastic about the idea. In the ten years that I have been with the “Mountain Rescuers”, I have experienced and learned so much – in front of and behind the camera – that it could easily have filled two books.
From all the experiences, how did you choose the experiences that made it into the book?
Ströbel: We want to arouse and satisfy as much interest among readers as possible – both in terms of our work in front of the camera and what we do behind the camera. On the one hand, the book should make you want to watch the series. But it should also awaken a desire for the region and for adventure. The focus is on mountain rescue, but we also wanted to offer something beyond that: for example, give inspiration for your vacation and show what else you can experience in this area. We want to create awareness of what it’s really like in the mountains. Because the book is not just about the filming, but also about the real mountain rescue work, about which mountain rescuer Heri Eisl, with whom I travel a lot on site, has a lot to say.
Can you imagine realizing other book projects?
Ströbel: Absolutely! I find this process incredibly exciting. For me it was a great opportunity to try out this world. I love books. Books are my hobby and my retreat. That’s why it’s incredibly nice for me to be able to get a taste of it. I really hope to be able to look into this in more detail. I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time.
What do you like to read most?
Ströbel: I really enjoy reading novels. But I am also a very big non-fiction fan. I read a lot of history. But I also love illustrated books and beautifully presented books that give you an impression of countries and regions.
You do most of the action scenes on set yourself. Was there ever something that you didn’t want to do – or that, looking back, perhaps you shouldn’t have done yourself?
Ströbel: No, quite the opposite. There have been times when I regretted not having done something myself. Sometimes the production simply doesn’t give the green light because the risk of injury is too high or the insurance doesn’t allow it. Then, willy-nilly and very reluctantly, I have to give in. In general, I try to do everything myself if possible. That is my ambition. Nevertheless, there is always a stunt double there.
What appeals to you about doing as many action scenes yourself as possible?
Ströbel: I belong to this generation that grew up with Jean-Paul Belmondo and series like “A Colt for All Cases.” I thought that was great as a child and teenager. Adventure has always appealed to me. That’s why I’ve always been fascinated by this adventure side and this physical side of my job. For me, a very important part of this job is not only using my head, but also my body.
How much of a real mountain rescuer are you now?
Ströbel: I have been working with Heri Eisel and Mathias Ragg, who works with the mountain rescuers in Kaunertal, for a long time. I see how they behave and so I would definitely know how to behave. I think I would be a good first aid assistant. I would also have the courage and the overview not to become hectic. Nevertheless, in real life everything is of course always a little different than on television. That’s what we try to portray in the book. Our filmic interest is that the audience stays tuned and the tension is kept high. That’s why it often has to be a little more hectic, exciting and over the top – which I really appreciate. But that clearly distinguishes us from real mountain rescue. We filmmakers are looking for escalation and mountain rescue is looking for rescue.
If you hadn’t become an actor, would mountain rescue be a job for you?
Ströbel: If I lived in the region, I would definitely get involved in this area. This is a voluntary activity. There are a thousand things where you can get involved and do volunteer work. That’s why it would definitely be something for me, because I think it’s incredibly great and really appreciate it. It is also incredibly important socially. Many people these days are very focused on themselves and no longer have the same external view. Many are only concerned with hating each other. Of course, such values - when you have a common goal and recognize a common danger that you have to fight – are very important. Being able to do something that connects is great. That’s why I can certainly imagine that.
Do you still have time in your busy schedule to go to the mountains privately?
Ströbel: I definitely have time every now and then. But the problem is that I just have a lot to do and have to travel a lot. I also have a really great family that I would like to go home to. In general, I really enjoy climbing. Of course, because you always have to be two people there, that doesn’t always work. But I always try to go on smaller hikes every now and then to have that feeling of nature. Otherwise, of course, we are basically out and about somewhere high in the Alps every day while filming. For example, I like to take advantage of the breaks in filming. Or I sometimes walk upstairs to a filming location. For example, when we are shooting at the Stoderzinken, which is also a very popular motif, I always run up it. It’s not a huge tour, but it’s at least an hour.
Does your family share your love of the mountains?
Ströbel: My love for the mountains is deeply rooted in my family. At least with my parents it was and is very strong. This connection with nature and the beauty of the mountains definitely runs in the family.
Has the love of the mountains already reached the next generation?
Ströbel: Not quite yet. The love of nature does, but not so much hiking and climbing. The family enjoys via ferratas, but doesn’t tend to do larger mountain tours. But I have to be honest, when I was a teenager I didn’t say “Hooray!” screamed when my parents took me away.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
