Esther Sedlaczek: Why is Scientology so popular in Hollywood?

When it comes to football, Esther Sedlaczek (32) is not kidding anyone. Most viewers know her as a sports presenter at the pay station Sky. But now shows the daughter of actor Sven Martinek (54) from a very different side. For the documentary "Total Control - In the spell of the soul catcher" (19 November at 21 clock) on the TV channel A & E in the theme week "Twisted Faith - power and manipulation" she goes to the question of how easily people of fanatics, Autocrats and populists can be blinded and seduced.

She meets a former high-ranking Scientology member, al-Qaeda dropout, a former neo-Nazi and the long-time television editor Edda Schönherz, who was imprisoned for three years in the GDR for her departure to West Germany. She tells us in an interview with the news agency spot on news which fates have particularly touched her, how great her fear of a meeting with former terrorists was and why Scientology has such a great influence in Hollywood.



The viewers know you above all as a sports presenter, in "Total Control - In the spell of the soul catcher" you now show in an unfamiliar role. How did you come to the project?

Esther Sedlaczek: I collaborated with the producer of the new documentary, Emanuel Rotstein, and the broadcaster A & E two years ago, when the True Crime format "Protocols of Evil" was presented. Now there was the possibility of even more intensive cooperation to "Total Control - Under the spell of the soul catcher". I have always wanted to engage in non-football topics, especially topics that relate to stories of people and go into depths. Since the project has now fit perfectly.



How did you prepare for all the encounters with former cult members, as well as survivors and victims of destructive ideologies and systems?

Sedlaczek: By exploring the people and your biographies in advance. However, you should be careful that you are not overloaded with information to even curious to go into the conversation. At the beginning, I still wrote a questionnaire and put in a thread, as I know it from the sport. But I quickly realized that it does not make any sense, because we had much more time with the protagonists. We did shoot from morning to night, talked a lot. You also have to take it a bit more relaxed and get involved with the situation, people and history and see where the conversation leads to. And that was also the exciting thing about this topic in the end. You knew what you wanted to talk about, but you did not know where the whole thing would lead. And that was partly very emotional.



Is there something all victims have in common?

Sedlaczek: The Stasi victim Edda Schönherz must be considered individually, as they wanted to escape the GDR and wanted to be free. Because she had this plan, she was arrested and detained. The others with whom I spoke have "voluntarily" gone into sects and joined totalitarian systems. One commonality could be seen in the fact that they had a certain lack of support. They have seen a gap in their lives that they wanted to fill. I would say that's the big thing in common: the hold that was missing and the pursuit of identification.

What was the fear of suddenly being confronted by former al-Quaida members?

Sedlaczek: I was not scared at all. And yet I have to say that I already had a queasy feeling at the meeting with al-Qaeda ex-drop-outs, as it is a current and present topic. That was the first time I felt that way. I had no fear because the curiosity outweighed and my interlocutors were very open with their history handled. They have brought the problem a bit closer: How do you get into something like that? And it gives you courage when you realize that people are coming out again. Through the first meeting and the conversation, this queasy feeling has then quickly reappeared. For example, one of the two, Irfan, simply gave me a good feeling with his relaxed manner.

Which destinies did you particularly hit?

Sedlaczek: None of the fates hit me because my interlocutors ultimately all decided voluntarily. What has touched me emotionally is the handling of their past. Especially with the neo-Nazi dropout Oliver Riek. When we met on the former Reich Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg, I realized that he was not finished with the processing.The question I'm asking now is whether the process will ever be completed at some point. Oliver still has a lot to do with himself, one has noticed, and he has had a part in it. I think that's really strong. The same applies to the Stasi victim Edda Schönherz, who has suffered an incredible fate. She was in the penitentiary, was in Stasi remand, had three children outside. She did not hear about them. She did not know how they are doing and what they think about her mother. If they are still there when she comes out. How Edda Schönherz dealt with this situation and that obviously she did not break it fascinated me completely. She is such a strong person who made an extraordinary impression on me.

Neo-Nazi dropout Oliver Riek draws in a joint conversation and parallels with today's AFD. Are we still being manipulated by politics?

Sedlaczek: I believe that manipulation is basically, as always, a huge topic and that it not only takes place in politics, but also refers to the media landscape and the coexistence of people. That is why I believe that it is not a sole issue of politics, but fundamentally one with which we have to deal: we should always order ourselves to question things. But that's up to us.

"Anyone who sleeps in democracy wakes up in the dictatorship," says Stasi victim Edda Schönherz in a nutshell. Do we have to become more active and, for example, take more steps on the street?

Sedlaczek: I think so. As Edda Schönherz says in our documentary: We have to fight for democracy, we have to be awake and we must not take democracy for granted. And that includes going to the streets to fight for democracy and to signal. I think it's good that people in such times as now go as a sign against right on the street. Not only are there those people who have a right-wing mindset and evidently succeed in spreading it in some form, but there are also people, and they are too much in the crowd who oppose the law and say, " Not with us!".

Even a former Scientologist gets to speak. Why does the sect have so many supporters in Hollywood, keyword Tom Cruise?

Sedlaczek: I can imagine that life as an actor in Hollywood is really not easy. And here we are again on the topic of stopping. Anything that gives you strength and self-confidence is important in life. This is what Scientology dropout Wilfried Handl has said in our documentary: What groups like cults can give is a feeling of strength, support and self-confidence. And if you need something in Hollywood, it's definitely self-assurance and support.

Michelle Hunziker has unpacked in her book about her time in a cult. What was her example and how important is it that celebrities talk about the topic?

Sedlaczek: I think it's very important that even celebrities raise their voices. Of course, they reach many more people, and they serve as role models and different access to people. I find it exemplary and very strong of prominent sectarian outsiders, because it is probably also a phase in their lives that you are probably not very proud of and still approach with a sincerity and attitude to be a warning to people.

Will viewers more often see you as a reporter in action?

Sedlaczek: I'm open to that, but I will not completely change the profession. Basically, I am always open to projects that interest me. That was the case in this case, and it will continue to be so in the future.

Does that mean you remain loyal to sports moderation?

Sedlaczek: Absolutely! That's my big passion and I love my job. But if I can have both, why not.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Sedlaczek: In ten years, I see myself as a happy mom, who will continue her profession and is just happy. But I do not make plans that go beyond a year or two. I've always been someone who likes to get things done.

Trailer Doku "Total Control - Im Bann der Seelenfänger" mit u.a. Irfan Peci, Eren Recberlik (March 2024).



Hollywood, Scientology, Ministry of State Security, Al Qaeda, GDR, Sect, Esther Sedlaczek, Total Control - Under the spell of Soul Catchers, DDR, al-Qaeda, Scientology