Verena Altenberger stars in the ZDF historical drama “Sturm kommt auf,” which reflects on the rise of National Socialism in a Bavarian village, based on Oskar Maria Graf’s novel “Unruhe um einen Friedfertigen.” The two-part series, airing on November 10, marks 80 years since World War II’s end. Altenberger discusses the filming in an open-air museum, her connection to the Salzburg region, and the significance of dialect in acting.
She contrasts rural and urban experiences of fascism, describing its more personal cruelty in tight-knit communities, where familiar relationships transform into enmity. Altenberger expresses cautious optimism about the future, recognizing the potential for a resurgence of fascism but advocating for dialogue and shared visions to combat division. She emphasizes that fascism offers misleading simplicity to complex socio-economic issues, promoting exclusion rather than inclusivity.
Altenberger calls for a better cultural discourse and a need to embrace collective aspirations rather than fears, highlighting the importance of community well-being over divisive politics.
