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Exclusive preview: “Child Actors – The Price of Success” | ARD media library documentary and discussion

They were stars – even as children. They stood in front of the camera, made films, signed autographs, were courted and celebrated. But at what price?

The ARD Mediathek documentary “Child Actors – The Price of Success” follows three former child actors and takes a look behind the scenes of child and youth acting with them. What was perhaps the most successful time of their lives has also left scars on these former child actors. Fun and success on the one hand, bullying and pressure to perform on the other. And the question: What comes next? Will I be able to build on my past successes?

Nick Romeo Reimann has been in front of the camera since childhood, starring in the successful film series “Die Wilden Kerle”. Back then, he was highly regarded and received little criticism. But he is getting older and has to learn to deal with setbacks. Although he now performs at a renowned theater, his film career seemed to be over: he had 65 auditions since 2019 and was rejected 65 times. Last year, he was finally cast in a movie again. Is this the start of a new career in film? The documentary shows how he meticulously prepares for the role.

Even as a young girl, Luna Jordan was at home on film sets, and as a teenager she took on complex roles. At some point, she could no longer distinguish between herself and the role she had played on set during the summer holidays. To this day, Luna often plays difficult characters, women with mental health issues, victims of abuse, addicts. She says she loves this challenge and has enjoyed great success with it.

Constantin von Jascheroff is in his late 30s. His beginnings as a child actor took place in a very different era than Luna and Nick. In 1994, at the age of seven, he began filming his first major role in the cinema hit “Rennschwein Rudi Rüssel” . His next leading role followed in 1997 as “Titus, der Satansbraten” and many more roles as an actor and voice actor. As a child, he sometimes filmed for up to 12 hours, he says. Once, his father came to the set angry and simply took Constantin home because the film crew had gone so far over schedule.

All three protagonists look back on the past – the documentary “Child Actors – The Price of Success” accompanies them in the present. A production by NDR and ARD Kultur for the ARD media library.

The premiere will be followed by a discussion with some of the protagonists and the filmmakers. Moderator: Muschda Sherzada, NDR Kultur.