And now you can Kiss my Ass goodbye
Final Week on Set at Traumschiff
7 February
After successful diving training – which in this paradise might even be considered working hours – the weekend has begun. Not like in Berlin, where you would meet up with friends, ideally in a pub, to talk about work, relationships, and dreams. No, here in Bora Bora, life itself feels like a dream. Personally, I often compare it to the anemone from Finding Nemo, right before the barracuda arrives.
It is wonderful when life presents you with such a gift. Suddenly, you perceive everything differently – the scents, the sights, the tastes – and you cannot help but smile all the time.
Of course, there are also hardworking colleagues on set – some even head out again at night to film a traditional Tahitian show at a restaurant, while others enjoy a glass of rosé at the pool bar (don’t worry, just one – I haven't suddenly become a millionaire). Otherwise, the evening is spent simply sitting, drinking a supermarket-bought beer, listening to classic old songs from my fantastic Summer Chill playlist, and gazing at the stars above – and at the fish and sharks beneath the water bungalow. There's a special lagoon light switch that illuminates these shimmering creatures beautifully.
By the way, I finished reading Talk to Me by T.C. Boyle. And yes, dear fan community, I remain unconvinced that Mr Boyle can compete with my favourites, like John Irving or Stephen King. It was okay, a quick read, but nothing more.
In short: the book is about a research project in which a chimpanzee is raised by humans and learns sign language. The professor’s assistant falls in love with both the chimp (Sam) and the professor, and – surprise! – it turns out to be quite complicated. Though, to be fair, that was obvious from the start, especially when, by page 10, the chimp had already bitten the previous assistant’s cheek. 4 out of 10 stars.
8 February
The sparkle of the water wakes you up. Sounds both boastful and untrue, but it’s only the former. The water here is so blue and so clear that, the moment you open your eyes, you feel drawn to it like a magnet. After a morning swim comes the usual yoga routine, followed by coffee, dumplings for breakfast, and a vague plan for the day: heading to the main island to experience real life – hiking and shopping. Probably how kids from Brandenburg feel when they visit Berlin.
So, by early afternoon, we are sitting on the small ferry, arriving in Vaitape – a cluster of houses with little shops and a harbour along the only road on Bora Bora.
Tip: If an app describes a hike as “challenging,” do not wear Birkenstocks.
The idea of choosing a somewhat manageable hike was a good one. I now realise that I am far too responsible towards the ZDF audience to be scrambling up a mountain at a 45-degree angle through the jungle. Noted. Instead, I went shopping for souvenirs.
And the evening? Spent as always – in sheer amazement and disbelief at the beauty of this planet.
9 February
Yes, yes, yes – wake up, jump into the water, be overwhelmed again. Today, I opted for a different hiking route. Still in Birkenstocks. So, I packed some crackers, took the ferry – and only then checked the schedule. I had exactly 3.5 hours on the island before the last ferry back (unless I wanted to stand at the pier from 8 a.m. – but it’s Sunday?!). The hike to the viewpoint alone would have taken 1.5 hours… time to get creative. So, I hitchhiked. The people here are friendly, merely smiling in confusion at why anyone wouldn’t want to just lie on the beach.
A sacred viewpoint, with graves made of volcanic rock, is now ticked off the bucket list. It was spectacular.
On the way back, I decided against the ferry and went for the catamaran instead. Tell me, how is one supposed to avoid developing diva-like tendencies here? How?! And then – and then – and then there was even an on-set marriage proposal on the beach?! I cried.
Sunday evening wrapped up with hotel pizza (a casual 25 euros) and the film Aloha, which, up until the final scene, felt almost eerily fitting for my current life. Beautiful. Simply, utterly, mind-blowingly beautiful.
10 February
Dear Reader,
I am simply describing what happens in my life. If you have any comments on the following, please direct them to the ZDF editorial team.
So I wake up on my second day of work in Bora Bora as the sun rises. It is just after 6 a.m., I am supposed to be in costume at 6:45 a.m., so I have plenty of time to enjoy this spectacle with my coffee.
Today's costume consists of just a bikini and snorkelling gear. At breakfast, we nod to our colleagues – internally, a version of ourselves that is screaming with joy. Mike picks us up. Mike has a Tahitian boat, Mike is a Bora Bora original, Mike plays the ukulele as we pass by all the little islands. The underwater camera is being prepared, the drone is flying above us, and the work begins: snorkelling. That’s it. That was the workday – swimming with a million different fish, swimming beneath, beside, and then above you as you dive, in all colours, in water so clear you would think you were sitting in a glass bathtub. I will never forget this.
Back at the hotel, we have lunch with colleagues who were not in the second unit. A new book is started, exercise is done, and the ukulele is played. One more week, and I will be a true Bora Boran.
11 February
The morning begins with an Inga Lindström feeling – if that means nothing to you, that’s fine too. In my linguistic world, it simply means we had a cycling scene. Somehow, I still associate that with Inga Lindström, even though that was already ten years ago. Back then, I was still a baby actor, so to speak.
We were briefly surprised by tropical rain and sunshine, and yes, it remains simply paradise – what else can I say? We also filmed in another overwater bungalow, with an infinity pool, which I personally find unnecessary, but luxury tastes differ.
To top it all off, the camera crew (thank you, camera crew!) had a celebratory drink (for non-film people: alcohol is consumed), jumped off the bungalow, and the director joined in fully clothed – she now has hero status. Unfortunately, everyone was taken back to the other island at 6 p.m. A shame. This was truly fun for the entire film family.
There was another Bora Bora show, and this evening I was chosen to dance with the ensemble. So, if I wasn’t already yesterday – today it is official: Emilia is a Bora Boran. A final glass of rosé and the spontaneous decision to sleep outside. Two shooting stars. It really doesn’t get much better than this.
12 February
Like a cake, it all comes in layers, until the cherry is placed on top. That’s how this final week of filming feels. The team heads to a private island to film a party scene.
So, once again, we take a boat ride in the morning (I love boat rides). I have probably never seen a beach this white. We play beer pong (no, not with real beer), we dance with Bora Bora extras, we drink from coconuts. And although Miss Super-German was never a big fan, she really enjoyed it. Then, at the end of the day, at sunset (of course), we filmed the romantic key scene – with the main island in the background and, naturally, in the water. Oh wow. Friends of the sun, I now know what pure happiness feels like.
And yet, in the evening, a small pang of sentimentality creeps in – the feeling that the days are, in fact, numbered. Tomorrow is the last day of filming. One last great adventure in front of the camera. How absurd life can be – back home, it’s minus ten degrees (which is good for February in Germany), and yet here I am, a German, on the other side of the world, filming ZDF romance. Thank you, Jesus, God, Buddha, or the ZDF editorial team – this is truly an incredible experience.
To make the experience even more perfect, I sat with an American couple (she’s an actress – of course, he’s an insurance guy) for a glass of rosé. And apparently, I will now be travelling to Atlanta more often and going to casinos. Perhaps separately, too.
Sleeping outside has really proven to be a great choice: fish below, stars above, and the gentle splashing of sharks hunting publicly-funded actors.
13 February
Yep, I’m sad. Not unexpectedly, and not with a heavy heart, but hey – five weeks of travelling the world with the same people does something to you.
Once again, we take plenty of boat rides, go snorkelling (I told you – hard work), and then we all stand there applauding each other. Done. The film is finished, in the can, and soon everyone will be heading to New Zealand to shoot the next film while I head back to cold Germany. Absurd. Beautiful. Exciting.
To avoid dealing with my emotions just yet (that can happen on the plane), I listened to "Fest & Flauschig" while packing my suitcase. It closed – that’s a good sign. The sunset wasn’t the most spectacular I have seen here, but it was still special. One last time, the sun sets into the Pacific for me, leaving behind a shade of purple I have never seen before. We have one last drink, then the blanket is placed again, and we gaze at the stars. Goodnight, Bora Bora – the most beautiful island in the world.
14 February – Happy Valentine’s Day
Okay, it’s actually better to be tired than to be sad. The sunrise was beautiful, and sleep was no longer an option. Today, there were chicken dumplings. A huge disappointment for a vegetarian who had grown accustomed to having dumplings for breakfast (spoiled creature).
The rain started, the sun remained in place – the magic of farewells. We are flying to Papeete shortly to spend one more night there. A 28-hour journey awaits me. Berlin is waiting, I will be home soon.
Adjusting will surely be interesting – that’s a given.
In any case, I had the best time one could imagine for a "Traumschiff" shoot. We are looking forward to Christmas and the broadcast. And guys, it’s only February – who knows what else this year has in store?
Let’s go. Goodbye, Bora Bora. Hello, Berlin. See you next week!
Bussi, Baba!