Film
Helga Wretman
20 November 2026
Film
Helga Wretman
20 November 2026
Image: Photo Leo Plank
Q: You work simultaneously as an artist, performer, actress, and stuntwoman. How would you define your practice today?
A: At this point I would say that one doesn’t live without the other, and somehow it all blends into what becomes my general practice today.
Image: Rosa Merk
Image: Hans-Georg Gaul
Q: What feels more important to you today — controlling the body or allowing it to go out of control?
A: I don’t think there is control if there is not a sense of loosing it and you can’t catch yourself from falling unless you let go… it’s a constant interplay between the two. but loosing it initially seems more fun haha
"I don’t think there is control if there is not a sense of loosing it and you can’t catch yourself from falling unless you let go… "
Image: Hanno Dall
Q: Is there anything you’ve learned through your work as a stuntwoman that you’ve later brought into your artistic practice?
A: Besides bringing technical knowledge, ideas and inspiration it has made me more vigilant maybe.
Q: After so many years of working with physical stunts, has your relationship with danger changed?
A: Yes I am much more aware of what can go wrong… you become very good at assessing situations and seeing where the danger lies and with that awareness comes a different kind of relationship between being careful and taking risks.
Q: You’re interested in the boundary between the real and the fake. What is it about this boundary that fascinates you?
A: It’s also partially inspired by my work as a stuntwoman and It’s all about communication i think. We find ways to make otherwise impossible things come to life on screen that can evoke emotions but it’s all something we have put together for you and it is real but maybe not so much in the way you would think watching it. It’s maybe like magic tricks maybe.
Q: There is a very particular combination of physical extremity, absurdity, and humour in your work. Where does this balance come from?
A: Haha thats just how I am balance or not
Image: Lukas Städler
Q: Is there anything about the character of Berlin’s art scene that you would like to challenge or disrupt?
A: I think that a lot in the arts maybe especially in the performance art scene has become very streamlined and almost only people who cater to a specific style and aesthetic are getting their voices heard and it’s really very flat… It is like performance art is being judged for some kind of coolness factor and it is just soooo fucking boring.
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