As a star chef, Manuel Cortez celebrates his acting comeback in “Hotel Barcelona”. It was so beautiful on the set – and so difficult in front of it.
After a breakup and his last major film “A Summer in Salamanca” (2019), things became a little quieter around the actor Manuel Cortez (44, “Fear in the luggage – still live happily”) due to the pandemic. A new love followed, an intensive examination of psychological and philosophical topics and a serious illness.
Now he’s back on TV. In the TV two-part “Hotel Barcelona” (September 10/17, 8:15 p.m., ZDF) he plays the lively star chef Castillo Diaz. In an interview with spot on news, the German-Portuguese artist, who was born in Freiburg im Breisgau, talks about the good times on the set in the Catalan capital of Barcelona – and about the very difficult times before.
With “Hotel Barcelona” you celebrate a kind of acting comeback. Would you call it that too?
Manuel Cortez: It’s the first major film project after my illness, that’s true. Because of Corona, I haven’t really done much in the last two or three years. It’s finally working again and I’m very happy about that.
How did the long break come about?
Cortez: My last big movie came out in 2019, then Corona came along and I did a bit of theater. After that, one film project after the next fell through and in 2021 I became seriously ill myself. I had Corona and was in the hospital for several weeks – and it didn’t look good. I got the hang of it, but had to struggle with Long Covid for quite a long time: I was exhausted very quickly, had dizziness and circulatory problems. It took until the end of 2022 before I was fit enough to start filming again. At “Hotel Barcelona” everything finally fell into place again.
How do you like your role as star chef Castillo Diaz?
Cortez: Playing a star chef was a lot of fun for me because I’m also very interested in cooking in my private life. In addition, this Castillo brings a nice liveliness and speed to the two-piece suit. It was really my pleasure.
Do you know a star chef that you could use as a guide?
Cortez: A few years ago I took part in a TV show (“Hell’s Kitchen”, 2014, Sat.1, Red.) where I was able to deal a lot with the topic of cooking and also with star chefs like Jamie Oliver or Frank Rosin . So I knew the tone, the speed at work and the slightly choleric to insulting nature of these artists at the stove.
Castillo brings the story to life, that’s true. But he also has a fear of failure. You’ve dealt a lot with fears and even written a book about it (“Fear in your luggage – still live happily”). What advice would you give Castillo if you were his coach?
Cortez: If Castillo were my client, I would first ask him to consider why he needs this star so badly and why he thinks so little of his own work. Then we would have worked out what skills, strengths and qualities he has and why he is so fixated on what he doesn’t have. We would deal with the idea that he should focus on his goal with a positive attitude and belief in himself – instead of looking desperately at the lack. The quality of the here and now should be the focus and not the lack of a star that isn’t there.
Speaking of fear, how excited were you before and during the shooting after the long Corona break?
Cortez: In general, it was an incredibly good time for me to shoot. It was like exhaling after a particularly difficult time. Of course, the city of Barcelona also contributed a lot. This is a city of vibrancy and joy. But emotionally it was also a big challenge, because of course sometimes the physical memories came up and I was afraid that I might not make it after all. Then I just went into this shoot step by step every day and did it as well as I could. Everything went well and so it was a very nice experience for me, which I also saved. Since then I can really consider Long Covid a thing of the past for me, which is wonderful.
Where can you really relax, unwind and recharge your batteries?
Cortez: I’m a city person and I love nature. But the best way for me to relax is in nature. I like being in the forest, I need idyll, peace and solitude in connection with nature. This has become increasingly important to me over the years. Hiking in the mountains, the small stream in the forest or sitting in the dunes somewhere by the sea – such natural places do me great good, I celebrate that too. But I’m also a fan of colourful, lively and energetic cities like Barcelona, for example, where you can let yourself drift or sit in a café and people-watch. Of course I also look at a church, but I love it even more to experience the core, the heart of the city through its residents.
The first part of “Hotel Barcelona” is, among other things, about a fictional Princess of Spain who falls in love with a Catalan rebel leader. Are you interested in the real royals?
Cortez: Zero. So really zero. I only get what’s inevitable, like the Harry and Meghan drama or the Queen’s death. For me, the monarchy is absolutely outdated, old-fashioned and I find it incredible what it costs taxpayers every year. But for our film it was great to bring together a Spanish princess and a Catalan who is in conflict with the Spanish royal family. This has a certain explosiveness and is historically also exciting. I’m really not interested in the royals as a celebrity talk topic.
Not even Meghan as a former fellow actress?
Cortez: I saw her back in Suits and thought she was cute. That was it already.
What can your fans look forward to next after Hotel Barcelona?
Cortez: I just shot something in Dresden. And then we’ll see. I’ll definitely be back and looking forward to all that’s to come…
