Actress Judith Altenberger: “Art is not a profession in the country”

Young artists like to distance themselves from the prominent relationship in order not only to be perceived as “daughter, son or sister of …”. Judith Altenberger (born 1996). In conversation with Spot on News about her new crime thriller “Steirergift” (February 6, 8:15 p.m., the first one), the Austrian actress tells of the narrow sister band with Verena Altenberger (37, “Bach – a Christmas miracle”). This made itself with the RTL-sitcom “Magda does it!” (2017-2021) and established itself as a Munich “Police Call 110” commissioner and Buhlschaft at the Salzburg Festival. The name of her younger sister has long appeared on series and film sets. In an interview, Judith Altenberger reveals whether there were already confusion.

Judith Altenberger: I have been greeted at the set overlooked and then thought forever about where I know this person from and what it is called. It was very uncomfortable for me that I no longer knew who it was – until then it turned out that she thought I was Verena (laughs).

Altenberger: Now it is a very clear advantage for me. It is always good to have people in the area who have the same and have already gained experience. I can ask you for advice if something is unclear to me. Often, however, it is simply a common topic of conversation with new people.

It is also nice that we see each other more often than we might otherwise be because you are traveling a lot with this profession. It has happened to us a few times that we ran into events without knowing that the other is there too. At the 75th Berlinale we will now see each other again because we both have a film there in the program. The anticipation is great.

Altenberger: “As soon as she could run, she had the microphone in her hand” – that was definitely my sister (laughs). We grew up in the country and art is not a profession in this reality of life. But I was very lucky that my sister, when I graduated from high school, already earned her money with acting. When I asked myself at the age of 17 what I would like to do with my future life, art was a realistic option.

Back then I made a lot of music, played saxophone, had a band and actually always wanted to go to the musical. But it quickly became clear to me that it wasn’t right for me. Then I started going to open castings and pronounced at drama schools. When I got a role in the movie “Breaking The Ice” from Clara Stern, the direction was clear. It was fun and really felt.

Altenberger: Verena and I feel a little different again because we are the only ones in our extended family that do something in this direction. Art as a profession is more of a sister thing than a family thing.

Altenberger: This is taken seriously, Verena did very good preparatory work. I now have freedom of fools.

Altenberger: As a teenager, I was always there on the set and then started realizing my own short film projects. In this way I got a great understanding from the start how things are going on the set – and not just from the acting side. And because we don’t come from an artist family dynasty, I had the freedom to find out where I stand, which interests me.

Altenberger: To be honest, the cooperation with director Wolfgang Murnberger was particularly appealing. When this option opened up, I packed it on my crest. And it was a great experience as I imagined.

Altenberger: Yes, I also find that everyone must have played a body. In this case, however, I also had eight or nine days of shooting and was there on four or five different locations, which I found very interesting.

Altenberger: Yes, of course I know them too, but I prefer not to tell them publicly. Just so much: know your limits!

Altenberger: Before that, I actually had no real relationship with this part of the country. As a real, sporty country egg, I really enjoyed it there. I visited the next tennis club on site and took tennis lessons. That was great. I also remembered that the whole team was housed in a beautiful hotel and that we spent the midsummer evenings together in the garden.

Altenberger: With me, sports and music help me. After a day of shooting I like to go running and listen to music. I also do that on the set: If it gets too stressful, I put the headphones in the ear and hear – often often tailored to the shoot – music …

Altenberger: “deeper” by Ankathie Koi – this is an Austrian singer who has an insane voice. It’s a very strong song – that fits quite well.

Altenberger: “The deaths of Salzburg” then don’t be long in coming. But I don’t play a body – one body per life is enough (laughs). In addition, the movies “Mother’s Baby” by Johanna Moder, who is presented in the competition of this year’s Berlinale, and “Schimmer” by Michael Poetschko are coming up.