Hape Kerkeling warns of homophobic atmosphere in Berlin and compares them with Weimar Republic

Hape Kerkeling warns of homophobic atmosphere in Berlin and compares them with Weimar Republic

Hape Kerkeling, one of the most famous German entertainers, openly spoke about his decision to leave Berlin and move to Cologne with his husband in the ZDF talk show "Maybrit Illner". He cited the homophobic atmosphere in the capital as the reason for this. Kerkeling expressed his concern about certain social developments in Germany and even compared the current Situation with the time of the Weimar Republic.

The entertainer said that he occasionally had the feeling that we would be in a similar time as in the Weimar Republic. He recalled that there were initially progress during this time, for example in the area of ​​transgender rights. But then the National Socialists came to power and reversed all achievements. Kerkeling does not want to experience a similar development again and therefore left Berlin with a heavy heart without regretting it.

also in view of his own career, Kerkeling expressed concerns. He doubted that his parade role of Horst Schlämmer, a drinking and unpleasant local journalist, would still work these days. Although he emphasized that this was all the travesty and that he wanted to make fun of the "old, white man" in this role, he admitted that some jokes were "disgusting". Kerkeling reflected critically and explained that the audience would sometimes no longer laugh at this kind of humor.

At the same time, Kerkeling commented on a current discussion in the film and theater industry. He spoke out against the demand that certain social groups may only be embodied by members of the same group. As a heterosexual, he has played heterosexual men even in the past decades and was credible. Therefore, he wondered why a heterosexual should not also play a homosexual or a woman.

The popular entertainer, who almost completely ended his career in 2014 at the age of 50, returned after eight years of break. This year his comeback was announced, including with the cult television film "Club Las Piranjas" from 1995, which will return as a mini series. In addition, he will present a travel documentation for the transmitter VOX, for example.

HAPE KERKELING has criticized current social development in Germany and especially denounced the homophobic atmosphere in Berlin. Based on the Weimar Republic, he expressed his concern about a possible step backwards. At the same time, he self -critically reflected on his career and doubted the relevance of his earlier role of Horst Schlämmer. Kerkeling also expressed his opinion on the current debate about filling certain roles in film and theater. After a long break, he returned to the spotlight in 2021 and became active again with various projects.