Michael Bully Herbig: That's why there is "no need to worry" with Peter Maffay
"I have a kind of double life," says director and actor Michael Bully Herbig (50, "Bully Parade") in an interview with the news agency spot on news. After his successful thriller "Ballon" he will be back in the cinema from 6th December. In "Tabaluga - The Movie" he lends his voice to the lucky beetle Bully. He also talked about the collaboration with Tabaluga co-inventor Peter Maffay (69), what Herbig thinks of social media and what's the best compliment for him.
Mr. Herbig, after her thriller "Ballon" follows again with "Tabaluga - The Movie" a children's film.
Michael Bully Herbig: That's just great. I have a kind of double life. As a director, I can do other things than what people expect from my face or voice.
As a lucky beetle bully, your voice sounds quite unusual.
Michael Bully Herbig: Well, I tried to adapt the voice to the lucky beetle. Something I used to do more often in the radio, where I am accidentally landed in the early 90s, since I did not work with the film school. Since I was neither a journalist nor a radio presenter, one has just started to think of strange things and thereby came out the most varied voices. I did that for four years, along with Rick Kavanian, and that was the breeding ground for everything that came after that, so to speak.
How did you get involved in "Tabaluga - The Movie"?
Michael Bully Herbig: To put it in New German, it was a "no brainer". It started about three years ago, when I received an invitation from the recording studio in Tutzing. I was very happy about it and then got to know the whole Peter Maffay family. It really felt like a family, there is a great atmosphere and atmosphere in this team. But first it was about the album and if I would like to sing a duet. My reaction was, "If you think I can, I'll do it." I sing a lot, but I do not know if it's enough for a song. It was a lot of fun and in that context I was asked if I wanted to play a role in the movie. I got along right away with the lucky beetle. Since I did not have to read a script. From the beginning I had the feeling that this is going to be something very beautiful.
How did you experience Peter Maffay?
Michael Bully Herbig: I had never met him personally before our cooperation. But I immediately had the feeling that we have known each other for much longer. A very cool and relaxed guy. He is insanely nice and charming. This also applies to his environment, he has gathered very charming people around him. Because the collaboration was so much fun for me, he also had a small guest appearance in "Bullyparade - Der Film", for me one of the highlights. Of course, if you have the opportunity to meet people you admire, you will want them to be loved after the meeting. That you will not be disappointed by them or may find them still stupid. There is nothing to worry about Peter Maffay: great man!
Such friendships sound pretty handy.
Michael Bully Herbig: They are a huge hit and I'm also thankful and humble that I can call artists that I find interesting, just call. This is something very special and I still appreciate that.
Your fans keep you up to date with the help of social networks. What do you think about Facebook, Instagram and Co.?
Michael Bully Herbig: I'm not a social media native. I do it because I realized that others would do it on my behalf. I did not think so cool. I have not been on Facebook for years, until somebody told me that there are five or six Michael Bully Herbigs out there and posing for me. At first it did not itch me until I was on such a fake account. That was while filming "Wickie and the strong men" and really scary. Suddenly photos of the set appeared and in my name it was written that I am looking forward to the day of shooting with all extras. That was too scary for me. Out of self-defense, I've created my accounts to tell people, "Take care of people, everyone else is fake, here's the real bully."
That means you are not a fan of social media?
Michael Bully Herbig: If I did not stand in public, I would not use it privately. I see no reason to post my lunch and "share" my life. It is amazing and sometimes strange how much people voluntarily reveal themselves. I mainly use it to inform fans about my work.Of course one touches one or the other private thing, but I post it then with a time delay. A picture of me on the beach, I publish only when the holiday is over. It does not matter to anyone where I'm currently off. I'm not even on WhatsApp yet. I send SMS and sometimes even a despatch. (Laughs)
Are you worried about your offspring?
Michael Bully Herbig: We still have that in front of us. My son is now eight.
In 2018 you turned 50 years old. Many people are afraid of this number. How do you feel about this?
Michael Bully Herbig: That's a great age. It was also the best birthday party I ever had. I invited four buddies and we played table tennis.
Her film "The Shoe of the Manitu" is already some years back, but still counts to the most successful films of Germany. What does this success mean to you?
Michael Bully Herbig: You could say, "The Shoe of the Manitu" (2001) is coming of age next year. The nice thing is that more and more fans come to it. Now the kids look at him with their parents and he runs in the holiday program. The sweetest thing I've ever heard was of a nine-year-old: "So far, 'Wickie and the Strong Men' was my favorite movie, but now it's 'The Manitu's Shoe'." It's so funny, as he overtakes the other films in the time loop. That's just nice. And now comes "Tabaluga - The Movie"!
