A Good Name in the Best Hands

Interview with Susann Henggeler and Hans Syz, two old friends and new captains of Condor Films.

Since 2020 Hans Syz and Susann Henggeler are the captains of Condor Films. It’s not their first project, but certainly their most ambitious one. Susann, to sit in one of the chief’s chairs – was that your plan?

Susann: On the contrary. When I started my sabbatical in 2019 to air my head, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to return to film making.

Hans, when you started with Condor, was it your plan to bring Susann on board?

Hans: I absolutely wanted her in my team. She was in South Africa at the time, but I still called her.

Susann, did you expect his call?

Susann: I expected him NOT to call. Because my sabbatical was very important for me. And it was not only Hans who called, others did too, which put me under a lot of pressure. But then I realized what a great opportunity it would be to lead the traditional Condor into the modern world.

What does this mean exactly, the modern world?

Susann: It means to exchange ideas with all kinds of people of all ages. Modern in my opinion is directly linked to young people.

Which was your first project together?

Susann: I was in advertising for a very long time, but I always wanted to do a documentary. So, in 2008, I realized „Going against Fate“, with Hans, whom I had known as producer.

What is the film about?

Hans: It’s about Gustav Mahler’s Sixth Symphony with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zürich.

You can make a film about this?

Susann: Of course. About David Zinman, the conductor, the rehearsals, the orchestra – there is a lot to tell.

Why do you need two producers for one film?

Hans: I am a producer, but I still need someone to help me producing. I cannot do it alone. Since 1988, when I took over Turnus Film, women have been my producers.

What do you appreciate most when working with women?

Hans: They are more consistent than men. We are very often in love with ourselves, we love to play, we are too enthusiastic. So we need an opposite pole.

Susann, do you see yourself as described?

Susann: Yes, I consider myself a realistic person.

Hans: Today I had some high-flying ideas, but Susann said: Nice, but do we also have a plan?

Susann, what do you appreciate most about Hans?

Susann: His enthusiasm, his will to move forward immediately, and his thinking out of the box. You can walk new paths with him.

What do you find difficult?

Hans: Ok, I will leave you for a moment...

Susann: Before the take over of Condor Films he was very often not available, intangible. But he has changed. And: He is very well connected, on all levels.

Why do you mind?

Susann: Because I’m jealous. I would love to have this kind of on-going communication, I admire him. They are not only contacts, they are relationships.

Hans, how do you achieve this?

Hans: You have to be open-minded, interested, even willing to be interested. In people. You have to grant them your time. That’s the most precious we have. As we will all die one day, time is the greatest gift.

Susann, does this help you for more communication?

Susann: I’m not quite as open-minded. When I was in South Africa I learned that each person has a story of her or his own. This opened my mind somewhat. But as Hans puts it, it’s a question of time. And time for myself is also very important for me.

Hans, what do you appreciate most about Susann?

Hans: Her honesty. She is very direct, which is rare. She confronts me with my mirror, and I want her to do it. I want her to be able to say no.

And you don’t mind?

Hans: Sometimes I cringe when, in the delicate phase of pitching, she totally loses it. I lack this courage.

Films are more and more streamed. Can one still speak of feature films?

Susann: Absolutely. Cinemas will not die. To go to the movies is a social event, just as going to the theater. There will be less movie theaters, but not less movies.

Hans: Screen and streaming are very close. On Netflix you’ll only find movie material. We want to make movies for a broad audience. When developing movies it doesn’t matter where and how they will be consumed. As Susann said: the movie experience will prevail. With „Wolkenbruch“ I realized how much the atmosphere crossed over to the audience, which is something that will only happen in the big movie theaters.

Hans, you mentioned the limits of time. What are your goals fort he next years?

Hans: When it comes to movies?

In general. But also movies?

Hans: I would like to make some big movies. They don’t necessarily have to be expensive, but they have to evoke big emotions.

Susann: For me a big movie is a successful movie, not only economically but also when it comes to appreciation. As with „Wolkenbruch“, which was the first Swiss movie to be accepted by Netflix. Or a movie that stands out at a festival.

Ado you have anything like that on the table?

Susann: We are currently working on two movies. One is called „Wetterschmöcker“, which sends out an important message: Be yourself to give charity.

Hans: Never heard such a short version, but that’s just it.

Susann: This film plays with the anxieties and narrow-mindedness of the Swiss people. We sometimes lack a certain wider angle. Fear of the unknown is an important part of this film.

Can you give me four adjectives for Condor Films.

Susann: innovative?

Innovative? Are you serious?

Susann: You’re right, that’s too common. Let’s say: decent, a very important feature for me.

Hans: decent and still hungry.

Susann: and brave. Not only for themes but also for new paths. Brave and trustworthy.

Hans: unconventional. I’m not interested in what one does or how one does it, but rather in just doing it. Even if you fail, what’s the point. It’s not so bad to make mistakes.

 

The interview was conducted by Tomas Meyer