All Quiet on the Western Front’s Felix Kammerer reflects on acting in his first film - BBC Newsnight

The new Neftlix adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front, based on Erich Maria Remarque's famous 1928 anti war novel, has taken the film awards season by storm.
The German language movie has garnered 14 Bafta and 5 Oscar nominations. The intensity of the film is only heightened for a new generation by the war in Ukraine.
The 18-year-old at the heart of the movie, the compassionate and sensitive Paul Baumer is played by the Austrian theatre actor Felix Kammerer, performing in his first film.
It portrays young German cadets in 1917 from their initial romanticised imaginings of heroic victory, to their most awful, barbaric, wasteful deaths.
Please subscribe HERE bit.ly/1rbfUog
-
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/...
Twitter: / bbcnewsnight
Facebook: / bbcnewsnight
#Newsnight #BBCNews

[@MiStuSia16]

„It’s not a hero story” - that’s why I appreciate the book and the movie. Too many war movies are hero stories, almost encouraging young people to go fight thinking it’s cool or fun.

[@machtnichtsseimann]

I knew a woman who grew up during WWII with bombings and townspeople being killed. She barely spoke of her experience. I gently asked her a few times if she wanted to open up a bit more about what she went through. She immediately and politely declined. One time after hearing of yet more military conflict going on in some part of the world, she said with a profoundly sad and sobering tone: "War is horrible." It carried such gravity, I've never forgotten it. She knew. She had been through it. I believed her then, and still to this day.

[@wasserlilie5419]

US Military makes propaganda movies just like these u named

[@FB-iy4ns]

THIS. And i hope the movie makes people rethink a bit about the hollywood productions who claim to be anti war. Most of them are basically like „Yes war is bad and combat can be horrific, anyways look at these super likable american soldiers with hero traits and cool phrases, dont you want to be a little bit like them?“

[@wongkengmun1103]

I applaud the filmmakers for truly showing the atrocities of war, there are certainly no heroes born but insteas innocent lives sacrificed

[@dms-f16]

@@wasserlilie5419 Don't make this into an anti-US thing. You're part of the problem if you do!

[@mariposahorribilis]

What an intelligent and articulate young man. And kudos to the interviewer for letting him shine without obtruding her own personality.

[@klontic]

The interview is cut to pieces,it's the bbc lol you talk as if the video you see is the complete unedited version of it

[@mariposahorribilis]

@@klontic Of course it's the edited highlights. I neither thought nor implied that it wasn't. Don't put words in my mouth.

[@jj-if6it]

@@georgecampbell9638 well it's either going to be that or american

[@ghengissmith8948]

@@klontic yep agreed

[@danieljamesmead]

It's how we did things before social media.

[@VOiDED50120]

I'm actually impressed this is his first film, his acting was top notch for a first time

[@jannibanniful]

He is trained, so it's not the first time acting for him. :)

[@pleiades.puppets]

His prior work is in stage/theatre, but yes, going from stage to film (or vice versa) is a big transition. Which goes to show...he has a lot of maturity and flexibility as an actor.

[@antediluvianer]

I don’t want to sound arrogant and apologies if I don but coming from a big theatre background you know how to dive veep into any given character whether classical or modern and he really nailed it and as someone who did theatre myself in classical Russian and Italian literature I can say I’m not surprised when I learned about him

[@mariepichler9344]

All reptiles🐉🐉👽

[@niklasra669]

It's not like he was snatched off the streets and then put in front of the camera 😃 He is a trained actor with years of stage experience, but yes for his first film his performance was outstanding without a doubt

[@reklamedamereloaded]

Him saying „I built a spreadsheet to follow character development“ was the most German thing ever. I love it! He was outstanding in this movie. Edit: Felix is Austrian - not German. I apologize for this. However I think our cultures are quite similar when it comes to this.

[@Salzwolke]

He‘s austrian though lol

[@MAMBA187]

@@Salzwolke makes sense, no German would know how to use Microsoft excel to make a spreadsheet lol

[@themedia1271]

@@Salzwolke basically the same thing tbh.

[@electionpalava2987]

​@@MAMBA187Hahahah

[@cantinadudes]

​@@MAMBA187 lmao true us germans still use paper for basically anything.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

He was great in this movie, Really nailed every scene

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

But it's remake like original version 1930

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

@@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401 Do you think you are the only person that knows that?

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

@@TihetrisWeathersby Like Lew Ayres version 1930 in english version, but remake version in 2022 with german version it's worst

[@LikeLikeLikeLikeLike]

I wish I was an actor so I could give an earnest review of his performance but I’m not so I won’t. It was a great movie. I wish it didn’t have to be made, but it did. Humanity should take one big timeout. Americans, russians, chinese, everyone, we should all just come together and tell out governments to get along or else. GET ALONG OR WE DON’T WORK. THATS WHAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD SHOULD SAY TO ALL GOVERNMENTS. GET ALONG OR WE DON’t WORK.

[@johnsmeith3913]

The acting was great, the movie on the other hand, was not

[@sew75962]

It’s a travesty that he hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar. One of the most compelling actors I’ve ever seen.

[@lisasantos6889]

It was aired on Netflix only can be nominated for for an emmy

[@sew75962]

@@lisasantos6889 it was actually nominated for several Oscar’s, and won best international film.

[@dave-ld8mo]

I think he didn't have a real chance for an individual award, because the movie was in german. Unfortunally the dubbed version, which most people in the US have watched is no way near as good as the german version with subtitles. The work of the actor especially his expressions and emotions do not come across as believable in the dubbed version

[@jamiebee1231]

He should have been nominated for that scene with the French soldier alone

[@Africanwildbwoy]

That’s because it his first film

[@nethanlock5008]

The scene with the French soldier had me on the brink of tears. Great movie and this man did an excellent job!!!👏👏👏👏

[@christinafidance340]

I haven’t seen this film yet, but I just watched the 1930 film last night for the first time and this scene in particular had me in tears. It was moving beyond words.

[@Toddel1234567]

Yes, this scene touched me very much. And when he realized that this French soldier was just a family man who wanted to live, I had to hold back tears. And you see all the despair on his face and his soul that everything that happens is horrible and breaks a man.

[@rbkhru]

I was ugly crying during that scene and when he said sorry to him I lost it. That scene was really moving.

[@Toddel1234567]

@@rbkhru Yes, the scene has occupied me for a long time. I was so sad.

[@marlonese]

Felix performance left me speechless multiple times during the movie. You can read all these tiny emotions on his face, in his eyes.. He's an amazing actor

[@giselaswaragita1326]

he deserves at least a nomination at the oscars

[@krollpeter]

I asked myself, is Michelle Yeoh really that good in the "Everything ..." movie?

[@dave-ld8mo]

I think he didn't have a real chance for an individual award, because the movie was in german. Unfortunally the dubbed version, which most people in the US have watched is no way near as good as the german version with subtitles. The work of the actor especially his expressions and emotions do not come across as believable in the dubbed version

[@EarnestTargenfyre]

The Fact That He Didn't Got A Single Nomination For His Amazing Performance In Any Award Show Is Hilarious To Me! Nonetheless, Our Love Is His Award. He Was Phenomenal! ❤️

[@MariaMunoz-rz1nz]

Was he nominated for any awards? He’s performance was superb!

[@boyvoyje]

unfortunately he's not nominated for anything

[@MariaMunoz-rz1nz]

@@boyvoyje I agree! Although I hope his performance has open for him many new opportunities. I would love to see that.

[@Naikomi603]

Because Americans are to stupid to value it

[@townsley2]

not him but the film is shortlisted for best movie at the academy awards

[@tonilober7821]

i think hes been nominated as best international actor for the irish film and television award

[@karinaemelie1665]

The voice of Felix Kammerer sounds very mature for his age and youthful charisma. 😯👍

[@pomme3185]

he’s 27💀

[@danielaf1487]

​@@pomme3185 - He looks younger, maybe about 22-23.

[@Esmee_edit]

@@danielaf1487 he is 27

[@valleyofthedolls]

@@danielaf1487 he's 27

[@mimasad6301]

@@pomme3185 27 is old? pretty young to me

[@makaheng]

Imagine they shot it before the Ukraine War and seeing the theme of the film repeat itself 100 years later, arriving at the conclusion we aren't any cleverer was just spot on.

[@knoblauchdip1256]

Ich glaube sie haben am März 2021 mit den Film angefangen

[@warframeees8013]

Well it’s Putin who ordered everything, it’s really just one man behind it all. Democratic nations never perform full scale invasions of other nations because the majority of people don’t want that.

[@bebop2523]

The circumstances of the Ukraine war are pretty different. World War I was totally pointless and futile, they were pretty much fighting about nothing and had totally inept leadership on both sides. With Ukraine, they are actually defending themselves against an invasion, not the same situation at all, they are fighting for a real cause.

[@justalpha9138]

I'd argue that we are substantially more clever now than we were in the first world war. World War 1 was where nobody knew what they were doing, and it was pretty much endless death for no tangible gains.

[@warframeees8013]

@@bebop2523 exactly

[@sahiblindberg]

He has the same eloquence that Christoph Waltz has. Vienna sure does produce great actors, bravo!

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

I've noticed that a disproportionate amount of German actors are from East Germany or are actually from Austria. I've also noticed that the male actors especially at least tend to be musicians, composers etc and not "merely" actors.

[@Me.and.You.]

His English is also extremely good. To express oneself on such a level in a language that’s not your native one, that’s really something …

[@yuukihoffner8433]

@@rejectionisprotection4448 His father is an opera singer, his beautiful mother is an opera singer. When still a kid he took part in an acting school led by a member of Austria's most famous theater clan, the Hörbigers. After high school he wanted to study physics, but turned to his beloved acting instead, graduating from the acting academy in Berlin. Thus: A member of the Austrian artistic aristocracy! Great talent and a supportive social climate.

[@sunshinething]

Such an articulate young man and an incredible actor.

[@gregoriasamsa9793]

He has such an artistic face

[@cdean2789]

Androgenous

[@melisagalvalizi6982]

Soooo handsome♥️😍

[@wolfganghasenmaier8350]

@Personal Jesus Muuuuuuuuch prettier than Malcolm. At long last a light that uncovers the extreme Hollywood prejudice against "evil Germans". In war we are all fucked.

[@teddina]

He has a classical look, like you can imagine him in a painting

[@wolfganghasenmaier8350]

@@teddina True, a timeless look. He lives in the new German Austrian society where sensitivity in men is accepted at long last. Sadly not so in my generation back then. Better late than never.

[@veragrig8645]

The excel spreadsheet is great proof that acting is not just "that is what I felt", but also practical work done.

[@pam0626]

He should have been nominated for an Oscar. My God, he carried that tragic film so beautifully.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

All Quiet on the Western Front had crazy good visuals and sound it felt real and visceral

[@danielarcadia7243]

Considering 5 weeks ago , NATO Badnara with Brits lead plus 10 EU a coalition of willing [declared war on Russia ] ..trouble is You brits are stage 2 starvation .. first 4 weeks this year ..food price up 20 % !!!!!!!!!

[@danielarcadia7243]

don't you agree real life is better ...not some Play movie war

[@danielarcadia7243]

@@TihetrisWeathersby really ? ... no movie can express the total numbing fear of being under artillery ..or a friend vaporized ... you boys declared war on Russia , brag about Minisk being a lie ( premeditated war ) ...Current mood in Russia ... want to change old T34 outside German Parliament for new T14 ... then scoot over to Brussels and salt the earth ( get the idea now ? )

[@danielarcadia7243]

@@TihetrisWeathersby no I assume you are of European background , who are on a self directed death march .. all your leaders and population have no guts or willing to fight.... just oooo hummm MMT and give me a check ... BOOM ... you better starting fighting ...your life and family depend on it ... all know this is a train crash

[@danielarcadia7243]

@@TihetrisWeathersby ahhh ...shallow ...no understanding of the history ... the Brits [ empire ] core fault ... best part soon ... it will be on your door step ... real life ..blood guts and misery ...

[@supernova19805]

Felix could be from that time period, in the looks department. Bravo, Felix for doing such a tremendous and difficult job in your first movie. Loved everything about the movie, from the acting, cinematography, set design, make-up and costumes to the prosthetics and of course the brilliant musical score. Everything together made you feel, as if you were actually there. Brilliant, although it was difficult to watch at times. Congrats on 4 Oscars!

[@Mor_timer]

Can’t believe this was his first film… he was thrown into a den for his debut performance and he delivered ❤

[@antediluvianer]

I lost count how many times I have already watched this movie on repeat, by myself and along with friends and family I recommended. Felix’s performance was exceptional. Hope to see more of him in the future 👏🏼

[@태이씨]

I hope he gets more amazing roles. This person is incredibly talented!

[@when_life_gives_you_limes]

He was brilliant in the movie, loved it.

[@glengamble526]

He was exceptional, as was the entire film.

[@vjwoollett361]

I have a first edition of the book. Beautiful but heartbreaking story. This movie, even though it wasn't based 100% on the book/story it was the best depiction compared to the 1930 one. It reduced me to tears 😢. The acting was amazing. Best movie I have seen in long time

[@calum5975]

This is exactly I think why the movie is so superb. A director should know when the deviate a bit from the source material, and I think when it did happen in this movie the director did so to actually better capture the feel of the book than simply copying the book would deliver. Movie and book are two entirely different mediums.

[@Njbear7453]

I enjoyed the political aspects of the film!!! Daniel Brühl did an excellent job! Love him

[@ollys919]

he did absolutely incredible on his first performance, that film really made me think about what war was like

[@dms-f16]

"Show the world what war is. It's not a hero's story." Well said!

[@SirGregg]

Creating the spreadsheet to measure the developement of the character was a great idea. Directors expect alot from actors when the acting scenes are so intense and filmed out of sequence.

[@sofiablack9081]

This is such a good film, heart breaking and truthful about war. I’m here because the Oscar’s is on and it’s doing well so far. It absolutely deserves every award it wins. I was literally in tears at the end

[@PapaSmurf11182nd]

All Quiet was fantastic, gut-wrenching, hurtful, just something else. Wonderful job, Felix

[@MattiasG-nl7qf]

I just felt like I was watching a real soldiers forgotten story, a truly talented actor indeed.

[@paulbuckland8660]

What an impressive young man

[@abimon76]

This was his first film?? and he was so perfect in it, unbelievable :'D

[@prowelsh56]

yes indeed. a ery articulate man. wondefully acted - felt every emotion watching and also knowing my Great Uncles ( brothers 19 and 38) died in this war....just feeling what they faced...very impactful. xxx.

[@MichaelJohnson-ft2fl]

This will probably be my number one movie for a VERY long time. Easily the most impactful movie I have ever seen, it's one of the few that actually changes you.

[@joanneg460]

Brilliant Film! So well acted. I watched the beginning again after I watched All Quiet…. And it broke my heart to see these enthusiastic young men and what would happen to them. Beautifully shot. The music was so specific to each scene. Hearing that little motif and knowing what that meant (Oh No).

[@maybebabyny]

I cannot think of another young American or British actor working today that could come close to his depth.

[@wolfganghasenmaier8350]

Us Germans are deep guys. Better than the racistic antiGerman Hollywood fanfare tells you.

[@maybebabyny]

@@wolfganghasenmaier8350 not entirely sure Hollywood is anti German. They just showered this film with more honors than any other. If you are talking about Germany in WW2 era movies I am not sure what you want as the overwhelmingly majority of Germans were nasty shitbag Nazis.

[@melonmelon309]

I don't see how people dont like this film. Felix's and everyone else performance was amazing.

[@Njbear7453]

Incredible film! Probably some of the best cinematography I have seen in a LONG, LONG, time. I wouldn’t be mad if this won both International and best picture. RIP to all the 17 million who lost their lives.

[@pbsuite]

He's a good actor , he can act really well

[@siennaeissinger6566]

He’s so underrated

[@yannick245]

How in the world could he be underated?

[@evelinedamseaux9691]

Dieser Film hat mich zerrissen. Toll gespielt sein erster Film... Wahnsinn.

[@stonersiren]

as a young guy doing his first movie, and he's not even from hollywood... this dude absolutely carried the entire thing. didn't save the production value of the end product, but his effort shines through. the young guys in general tbh.

[@AnnamariaLeprini]

I really enjoyed Paul's character in the book, in the end, when he died I got emotional. The film has little to do with the book but it is well done and succeeds in the intention of the author who, although he wanted to remain impartial (he himself says that his book is not a sentence), leaks the horror in several places of the war. I really liked this actor's performance, I think he's a perfect Paul. His expression, his eyes in certain moments of the film made me emotional. I hope this movie wins at least an oscar!

[@AnonymousCaveman]

What a fantastic actor he did a stunning job in this film.

[@O-DogKubrick]

I’m glad that “All Quiet On The Western Front” won four Oscar awards including Best Foreign Language Film. Too bad it lost the rest. But I’m glad that “Top Gun: Maverick” won Best Sound.

[@sangchinyang]

Agree, one of the greatest anti-war films I have ever seen. The message of this film is also too important to ignore.

[@wasserlilie5419]

Being a fan and obsessed about an anti war movie is sus

[@andrewmaddox2889]

100%

[@dianamarcekova9615]

@@wasserlilie5419 the book was anti war

[@blehbleh8143]

nah, im a fan of EEAAO

[@JW-do2wc]

He's gonna go places and will be big in Hollywood.

[@soundofeighthooves]

hope not. hollywood sucks

[@malikia]

This was one of the very few films that made me cry. Watching Paul die in the last minute of the war 😢

[@timdagerman2538]

actually he died in peace

[@tilltronje1623]

​@@timdagerman2538 lol no

[@timdagerman2538]

@@tilltronje1623 yes he died after the armistice between germany and france was in place

[@tilltronje1623]

@@timdagerman2538 1. That is not what "dying in peace" means 2. He was stabbed before the armistice. That was Malikias point

[@ReaderInTheDeepEnd]

Bro’s English is better than mine and I’ve been speaking English my whole life 💀

[@darthmong7196]

I've just finished this. He is astoundingly good.

[@onyx747]

He has a really nice voice

[@skbanerjee1232]

He showed so many emotions without showing anything at all ... now thats a real actor out there ❤

[@bananenmusli2769]

I had to read the book in school in Germany. That was the first time when I could say to someone when talking about a film "Well, I read the book"

[@Mphx321]

What a simply incredible performance by him. I felt the emotion so deeply. It really helps you to appreciate the depth of chaos those men went through out there, And how useless each death seemed.

[@ianwalden9865]

This is the best movie of 2022 and one of the best war movies ever. Such a fantastic film across the board.

[@MiaStayingCreative]

Felix is my new favorite actor! Great job! This is the only war movie I’ve EVER enjoyed watching.. and it was because the acting was so compelling. I like what he says in the end: war is not a hero’s story.

[@raskolnikov1461]

He is absolutely AMAZING in this role! Thank you. Beautiful acting

[@adleajeh]

The film got a good actor with big eyes. The director wanted to make sure viewers really do see war through someone's eyes. When he was covered in mud, the big eyes of Felix could be seen.

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

Interestingly enough you could say the same for Volker Bruch in "Generation War" and "Babylon Berlin".

[@hectormerc350]

As a war movie fan ; this has blown my mind

[@jj-if6it]

I love that he's an actor and his last name sounds like camera

[@yxx_chris_xxy]

And his full name is Happy Camera? :-)

[@JaVi-wf1gl]

His first movie ever - Brilliant!!

[@aneuraprimrose]

Felix Kammerer gave an excellent performance on the movie, he deserve oscar nom for his acting-one of the biggest oscar snubs indeed, glad he won best actor in a leading role at german film awards.

[@O-DogKubrick]

I have now four favourite Hollywood actors from Europe. Him from “All Quiet On The Western Front”, Flula Borg from “The Suicide Squad”, Christopher Waltz from “Inglorious Basterds”, and Stan Ianevski from “Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire”.

[@iamthedalilama]

I had to pause this film during the last chicken scene, thinking one of them is going to get shot. Relieved when they got away, only to be devastated 10 mins later.

[@4.Star.4]

Amazing 27-year-old actor! Just incredible ❤

[@lozza821]

i just saw this film for the first time, incredible watch. This man is such a special talent. Such an emotional and raw film!!

[@roybatty4578]

He was outstanding in this film, I hope I see him many more times

[@M.X.7]

No movie ripped my heart, burned my soul, and broke me more than this movie 💔 what a great movie what a legendary movie man .. The cast, especially this actor 🎥 There are no words to describe their acting in this movie "All Oscar winning actors over the years, they can't match this boy's performance, especially the scene of killing the French soldier 💯 what a movie

[@thickboi7570]

He did absolutely great for his first film.

[@jj-if6it]

The spreadsheet thing is what I always imagined I'd do, except with numbers written on the script.

[@josemichael1998]

He is so articulate

[@anonymsifd3613]

Was ein junger intelligenter Mann!

[@emiliobello2538]

He should have been nominated

[@eg3635]

Felix is an amazing actor👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@thedudefromrobloxx]

This interview made me understand why late 20th century media parodied these sort of interviews so much. Asking movie actors acting in movies about the world wars about wars is so dumb. Of course they don't know about current wars situations and geopolitical developments. They're actors, their focus is on portraying the individuals perspective, not the governments

[@johanna2690]

The director was asked similar questions. He answered, "In the end it's just a movie".

[@Jack-jo2zy]

Absolutely outstanding actor

[@climatehero]

Everyone should reflect over this.

[@CrimsonWinters]

Man, Felix Kämmerer did a great job as Paul Bäumer. Especially for his first film! I also didn’t know Felix could speak english.

[@DoggTheGamer]

This is the best song for this clip , dude face can say a million words

[@sasthesasquatch]

beautiful boy. his acting in this film will be in many hearts forever, including mine.

[@BeanArmyLeader]

It was amazing

[@Lunaeyes8]

Te quiero mucho Felix ❤

[@janedougherty5109]

He gives thoughtful answers.

[@SirDolce398]

i deadass just watched this to convince myself paul is okay. like, str8 after i watched the movie with my brother.

[@veronxska]

His first film?? 😮😮 Damn he's good

[@el_chapolman5023]

Incredible acting!!

[@csepetke]

Felix is super cute

[@TertuNdokosho]

I'd like to see this actor play an oblivious character 😅 I wonder if he'd be able to hide the wisdom and maturity in his eyes then. On the issue on the intelligence in his eyes, you know how soldiers usually turn off their thinking mind so they can become mindless death machines? His character never did that. He was always present. Always aware. That made me feel very sad.

[@benjaminbronnimann3966]

Well until the last attack... After Kat died Paul's eyes looked dead, like he didn't have any reason to live anymore

[@TravisRo-vj1sx]

What a great first movie

[@desilvamarline5041]

Brilliant acting and directing

[@amanda-sue6793]

He played this roll so good

[@yonathanrahardjo2543]

All Quiet on the Western Front’s Felix Kammerer reflects on acting in his first film - BBC Newsnight

[@danesha4705]

Yonathan Rahardjo

[@onyx747]

Dane Sha

[@dorothykelly8924]

A masterpiece. But also how hellish war is and for what in this little world. Looking down from ISS the Astronauts must cry.

[@cristinaguasque869]

Great performance!

[@gagekelly1051]

I’m from the US and I vote him for President

[@DanielSirbuChicago]

This is the first movie that ever made me cry

[@aiheartso]

He’s handsome

[@ThatGirl2003]

Very!

[@EvaUnit01Enjoyer]

Wait ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT WAS HIS FIRST MOVIE??

[@wongkengmun1103]

The filmmaker did make the right choice by looking for a fresh face actor as the role of Paul as the character journey is like a young man journey not knowing what he is getting into n somehow I find maybe an experienced actor might not be able to bring out the expression n rawness coming from a new actor