In “Kati – a freestyle that stays” GDR ice sports star Katarina Witt (Lavinia Nowak) returns to the 1994 Olympics. Why is the film so touching?
The Munich actress Lavinia Nowak (29) portrays the former figure skating star Katarina “Kati” Witt (58) in the TV biopic “Kati – a freestyle that stays” (October 3, 8:15 p.m., ZDF). Together with their coach, Jutta Müller (Dagmar Manzel, 66), they were the GDR icons of ice sports. In the film, which will be broadcast on German Unity Day, director Michaela “Mimi” Kezele (born 1975, “Tatort: MagicMom”) and screenwriter Dr. Andrea Stoll (64, “And everyone was silent”) focuses on the events surrounding the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. At that time, Witt surprisingly returned as an all-German figure skater. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, actress Lavinia Nowak explains, among other things, how involved Katarina Witt was in the film project.
Did you know Katarina “Kati” Witt before the film?
Lavinia Nowak: I am no longer the generation that experienced Katarina Witt as a figure skater. And when I received the request and the script, it was only when I read it that I realized it was a real story. At first there was always talk of “Kati”. When I realized that it was about Katarina Witt, I of course already knew her from talk shows. However, I didn’t know her figure skating coach Jutta Müller.
Was ice skating a criterion when casting for the role?
Nowak: No. Personally, I was last on the ice when I was 14 – and that was more wild than good. I couldn’t brake at all. When I got the role, I started practicing with a trainer in Vienna. During the several months of preparation for filming, I trained three to four times a week for three hours in the morning. At the same time, I still had theater rehearsals and performances in the evenings, often with sore muscles. We did the ice skating training regardless of the wind and weather. When it rains, the ice becomes nice and slippery – you just have to not fall, otherwise you’ll be soaking wet, but that’s exactly what motivates you (laughs).
Who doubled for you in the professional scenes?
Nowak: Since I obviously didn’t make it to the Olympic level during the preparation period, two doubles from the Czech Olympic squad supported me.
Did you meet with Katarina Witt beforehand?
Nowak: Before filming we had three long phone calls and then she came to visit us on the set in Prague. That was beautiful and super exciting. We were both so happy to see each other and finally get to know each other in person. Everyone around us then started laughing because we laughed so quickly.
You look incredibly similar to Katarina Witt in the film. What did she say about your visual similarity?
Nowak: Katarina was completely thrilled during our first Skype conversation and immediately called someone over and said: “Look, you have to look at this. It doesn’t even exist.”
Did she briefly skate with you on the ice in Prague?
Nowak: No, unfortunately not. I think she rarely goes on the ice anymore.
How involved was Katarina Witt in the film’s content?
Nowak: Yes, the whole film was made in close consultation with Katarina. The author, Dr. Andrea Stoll, often met with Katarina and talked for hours, as far as I know. And the different versions of the script were always approved by Katarina first. For me as an actress, this close collaboration was also reassuring. When I have to get as close to someone as I did in this case, it’s nice if the person is okay with it.
How did Katarina Witt react to the finished film?
Nowak: After Katarina saw the finished film, she immediately sent me a voice message saying that she was totally happy and that she cried the whole time because she felt so transported back to a very important time for her. And strangely enough, I cried when I saw the film for the first time – even though it took me an hour to try to forget that I was watching myself.
Without wanting to give too much away: the film is actually touching, especially in a rather surprising scene. How do you explain that?
Nowak: I asked myself that too and it somehow reminded me of the “K-drama” phenomenon. I have to admit that I am a big fan of these Korean series. What I noticed about them is that they are often developed and directed by a female screenwriter and a female director and are also told through a female perspective. “Kati – a freestyle that lasts” is directed by Michaela “Mimi” Kezele and screenwriter Dr. Andrea Stoll also led by two women. Maybe they have a different approach to feelings?
The TV broadcast is planned for German Unity Day. You were born in Munich in 1995. What role does this holiday play for you?
Nowak: I was born long after the fall of the Berlin Wall and as a result I’m not as emotionally involved as people who experienced it live with their hearts. It’s great to be able to approach a topic objectively and without prejudice.
The film also impressively shows how deeply the Stasi penetrated people’s private lives. What was the mood like on set during these scenes?
Nowak: Everyone approached this topic with great sensitivity. It was really important to us that we got it right, so we put on kid gloves for it.
It is a film for Kati Witt fans and for biopic fans. In particular, because of the 1980s Olympic scenes, it is reminiscent of “Eddie the Eagle – Everything is Possible” (2016) and the figure skating drama “I, Tonya” (2017)…
Nowak: Yes, I also watched “I, Tonya” in preparation. I was interested to see how this wonderful actress Margot Robbie does ice skating. That was very exciting for me.
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