Interview with Sandra Hüller: “I don’t want to be in the public eye and then keep quiet about things that aren’t right”
On July 22, the Oscar-nominated actress named our new all-weather lifeboat, the SEA-EYE 5. We caught up with her after the official ceremony to find out why she is so passionate about civil sea rescue and what she would like to see from politicians.
One thing is for sure: you are a great patron of the SEA-EYE 5. What motivated you personally to take on this role?
I have known a member of Sea-Eye for many years. We had lost touch, and he asked me, through my agency, if I would be willing to help raise awareness for the organisation and the ship. It was no question for me – I knew I wanted to be involved. The only thing we had to do was find a date and place for the ceremony that would suit everyone.
How do you see the role of artists and celebrities in raising awareness of issues such as civil sea rescue?
I can’t speak for others, of course. I think everyone has to decide for themselves how much they want to use their publicity or their position to speak out about the issues they feel strongly about. For me, it would feel strange to be in the public eye and then remain silent about things that are simply not right. That’s why this project is so important to me.
Your calendar is full. Where do you find the energy to also campaign against right-wing extremism or the deaths in the Mediterranean?
My busy schedule is nowhere near comparable to the problems of people affected by right-wing violence or struggling to survive in the Mediterranean. That’s why it’s natural for me to stand up for them.
What changes would you like to see for people fleeing across the Mediterranean?
I hope that European governments will recognise that the refugee movements are also caused by Europe. That they act accordingly, that they take responsibility – and that these refugee movements are seen for what they are, and not as a luxury problem of people who supposedly want more and more. These false attributions, which exist in some parts of the press, must stop. I would like people to take a closer look at this, for example: What causes people to flee? Politicians know the answers, and why they don’t act on them is a mystery to me. But I would like the causes of flight to be tackled at long last.
To ensure that the SEA-EYE 5 can save lives in the Mediterranean as soon as possible, we need many more people to get involved in addition to a patron. How can people help to send the SEA-EYE 5 into operation?
There is a fundraising project for the SEA-EYE 5: anyone can become one of 3,000 ship sponsors and make a monthly contribution to get this ship ready for operation. By the way: I’ve already filled out the form on the website myself – I’m already a sponsor of the ship!
