Philipp Hochmair about the fabric of 'Old Materials' and his Perspective on Fashion

The moment Philipp Hochmair appeared on screen in Austria in the hit series "Vorstadtweiber" was a milestone in the 49-year-old's career, but it shows only a small facet of the actor, who achieves extraordinary things in the variation of his roles.

From the Thalia Theater in Hamburg, Schauspielhaus Zurich to the Burgtheater in Vienna, Philipp Hochmair tests the limits of his art and personality, celebrating successes as a "brilliant 'Jedermann' as you've never seen him before" (ORF) and is currently a regular on stage with his performance "Schiller Ballads Rave", which together with Die Elektrohand Gottes. The latter shows interpretations of the texts of the grandmaster of German literature as you have probably never seen before.

In January of this year, Hochmair could again be seen in a completely different role, when he took on the role of SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich and received critics' praise in the film "Die Wannseekonferenz" (directed by Matti Geschonneck). 

But how do we now manage the balancing act with fashion?

Our interview came about through photographer Rafaela Pröll, who Hochmair has worked with for years. So also for the current stretch with Pieces by Louis Vuitton (you can see here).

Pröll loves the experimentation Hochmair allows, as she tells L'Officiel Austria. For the cover of "Jedermann Reloaded," which was also seen on stage at the Burgtheater, she was out with him in Vienna at night and recalls, "He had his stage outfit with him. We were already taking good photos in a coffee house, but I knew: 'This is not it yet!' Around midnight we went to Währinger Park. I asked him to take off his jacket. Then in that vulnerability that you see in the photo, the expression was perfect. I knew we had it now ... That's how the cover came about."

But Philipp Hochmair is not impressed by flashlights. On the contrary. Because the search for "old material," as he tells us in the interview, is never finished for him. A journey that makes him probably one of the most versatile German-speaking actors of the present day.

ORF once called you "extreme" in your approach to acting. Do you think that's an accurate description? 

Philipp Hochmair: "I've heard of that. Yes, I like being an extreme actor." (laughs)

What would be extreme about your profession?

Philipp Hochmair: "I've always been interested in special, extreme characters and I've also tried to get as close to them as possible. In the theater, for example, Franz Moor from Schiller's 'The Robbers' or Mephisto in Goethe's 'Faust', in television Joachim Schnitzler in the 'Vorstadtweibern' or most recently Heydrich in the 'Wannsee Conference'. But perhaps also the multifaceted confrontation with 'Jedermann'. I recently developed a very unique club version of Jedermann with the musician Kurt Razelli. Maybe that's also extreme, that I never declare my search for a new form for old material finished."

In your last work, the extreme was also required of you in its most negative form: You played SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich, who played a weighty, if rather a lesser-known role in the history of National Socialism. How do you deal with the portrayal of evil in a contemporary historical context as an actor? 

Philipp Hochmair: "The Holocaust is the worst crime in human history. An active, reflected culture of remembrance is enormously important in our time. In the beginning, I felt the need to clearly show the evil side of Heydrich to the audience. But then came the moment when I thought: This is me now. So you consciously go into evil and cross a line, leave any moral context."

Does the role also come home with you or does it stay on the film set or on stage?

Philipp Hochmair: "That's a complex question. Sometimes it goes easily sometimes not. But I try to separate that clearly."

Now to something "lighter" Right now you are on the road with "Schiller Balladen Rave" - what do you particularly enjoy about also being on stage and being able to explore this side?

Philipp Hochmair: "An evening like 'Schiller Balladen Rave' is definitely very refreshing and invigorating. And also helps me to shake off a character like Heydrich again and banish him from my mind. Playing with the band is a very physical experience. The beats of 'Die Elektrohand Gottes' and the language of Schiller always go through my body like electric shocks ..."

Which fashion brands can you find in Philipp Hochmair's closet and which ones should there be more of?

Philipp Hochmair: "Many outfits come directly from my films. I often buy costume pieces after filming is over that I liked or with which I have built up a relationship through the role. With the Louis Vuitton runway outfit, in a way, I've been given a whole new role image again. I could well wear this at the next gig with Kurt Razelli! [to be seen 5/13/2022 at the Stadtsaal in Vienna, note] I like any form of cross-over experimentation: Combinations of clothes that don't necessarily go together right away. Fashion is always a creative means of expression, probably the most immediate and directly available to us."

Your personal favorite piece that you particularly appreciate right now?

Philipp Hochmair: "An orange full-body safety suit with luminous stripes that construction workers usually wear. I put it on as a performer for Schiller Balladen Rave. And I love to use it in the dignified, venerable Burgtheater to provide a stark contrast to the lyrical language of Friedrich Schiller."