Even after several decades in front of the camera, Iris Berben (74) still hasn’t had enough of acting. In the film “The Nickname” she will soon be seen on screens again alongside Florian David Fitz (50), Christoph Maria Herbst (58) and Janina Uhse (35). Among other things, the comedy draws attention to gender-appropriate language – a topic on which Berben has a very clear opinion.
Iris Berben’s opinion on gender: “It’s important that language changes”
In an interview with “Bunte” Iris Berben emphasizes that gender is important today. “It is very clear and essential that language changes. It always has and it will continue to do so. Not only language changes, but with it an attitude,” describes the actress. Over time, Berben herself had to learn to express herself differently than she was used to. It was just about gender.
Iris Berben: “Today a form of aggression”
Iris Berben describes: “It was completely normal for me, when I started talking to someone on the street or in a taxi and noticed that this person came from a different culture, to ask: ‘Where are you from? What do you do ? How are you received here?'” The questions should “give you the feeling that [sie, d. R.] seriously [ihrem, d. R.] “interested in the other person”.
Berben just wanted to come across as friendly, but he had to learn “that [das Verhalten, d. R.] is now a form of assault.” The actress “sees an enormous danger” and explains: “It implies that someone doesn’t belong. That was my learning process. And that’s a good thing.”
Iris Berben: Actress campaigns against racism and homophobia
The 74-year-old believes that one should listen to people and, if they make questionable statements, “confront them with targeted questions.” According to Berben, these could be: “What exactly is bothering you? How is your life being affected? What does the gay, the colored person do […] especially to you?” The actress also says: “When they provide their answers, then you have to counter it with facts. Explain to you what reality looks like. This is work.”
However, Berben takes a critical view of the demand for a boycott of people who allegedly make incorrect statements on issues of sexism, racism and homophobia. Berben sees “an enormous danger in this so-called ‘cancel culture’”.
“‘Cancel’, i.e. delete or censor, is one of the saddest words there is for me,” says Iris Berben. “Because it means exactly the opposite of what we actually want: to bring us people closer together.”
Iris Berben: Munich actress colleague is involved as an activist
Berben’s actress colleague Uschi Glas (80) can attest to the fact that this educational work is not easy. The 80-year-old collected signatures against right-wing extremism and racism in Munich in September 2024. In addition, Glas is generally committed to a better world and appears publicly as an activist. A habit that Iris Berben certainly takes her hat off to.
