Tina Ruland’s big breakthrough came in 1991 with her role as Uschi in “Manta Manta”. When the cult film returns to the big screen, the actress will of course be back in her famous role as the blonde – alongside Til Schweiger. The Berliner by choice fondly remembers the “magical shooting” in the summer of 2022, including her driving scenes. They were particularly relaxed. She mastered the Opel Mokka Electric, which the actress drives according to the script, as if it were her own. No wonder: Tina Ruland is an Opel product tester and also drives the battery-electric model from Rüsselsheim privately. In an interview with the Opel Post, she reveals why the striking SUV suits her so well, but also her film character Uschi.
Ms. Ruland, what excites you about the Opel Mokka Electric? First of all, it’s simply fun to drive electrically. I live in Berlin, so I need something agile to be able to maneuver well in parking spaces. As a mother of two, I also need space in the car. And I want to feel safe. This is ensured in my Mokka, among other things, by assistance systems such as the front collision warning system and the 180-degree reversing camera. And, very important: I can charge electricity from renewable energies anywhere. With it, you can get through the city quietly and without emissions, comfortably anyway. For me, that is responsible mobility that is also fun.
“For me, the Mokka Electric is responsible mobility that is fun.”
Tina Ruland
Before she took off with “Manta, Manta” in 1991, Tina Ruland had already made her debut as a television actress with a guest role in the TV series “The dear relatives”. From 1993 to 1998 she played a continuous leading role in the hit TV series “Not from Bad Parents”. Since then she has been on the cast lists of numerous television films, especially romantic comedies such as “Men Kiss Differently With Fifty” or “Women Who Drink Prosecco”, traveled several times on the “Traumschiff” or checked into the “Traumhotel”. She was also seen in episodes of well-known crime series such as “SOKO”, “Tatort” or “Großstadtrevier”.
She returned to the cinema screen in the Czech productions “The Magic Book” and “The Firebird”, in the German cinema comedy “Harte Jungs” she played the role of a mathematics teacher. Last year, Tina Ruland made a guest appearance in the RTL jungle camp.
And how does the Opel Stromer go with your film character, Uschi? I think it’s excellent. Uschi is now a business woman with her heart in the right place. Something suits her that is stylish, efficient and modern at the same time. She runs several hairdressing salons at the same time, so she travels a lot and needs a car that is easy to handle. And she always thinks positively and forward-thinking, so driving electric makes sense for her. Especially since she, like me, is a mother of two.
It sounds as if they could have made friends with Uschi again after a 30-year break… And yes! When Til Schweiger called me and told me that we were shooting a sequel to “Manta, Manta”, I cheered loudly that I could play Uschi again. And when I got the script, I read it straight through in one go – and I was hooked! Uschi is not just back as a decorative accessory, but is now a mature woman with her own story. Emotionally grown up but still loveable. Of course, she has changed in appearance over the past 30 years, but she is true to her age. Because it would be ridiculous for them to want to look the way they used to.
Tina Ruland can be seen again alongside Til Schweiger. The two celebrated their breakthrough in 1991 with “Manta, Manta”. In addition, Til Schweiger directed, wrote, co-produced and edited the sequel to the cult comedy.
Of course, the candy-colored Manta B is also at the start. And the cult that began in 1991 is still going strong: When extras were wanted, 11,000 enthusiastic fans signed up to be part of the sequel. Now that the film has started, cinemas invite you to manta meetings.
“The film the nation has been waiting for 30 years” – so it says on the film poster. The main roles are played (from left) Tina Ruland, Tim Oliver Schultz, Luna Schweiger and Till Schweiger.
The line-up of stars in the sequel is large: In addition to Lukas Podolski, the Youtuber JP Kramer (photo) can also be seen in a guest role. .
“We continued to tell ‘Manta, Manta’ in a contemporary way.”
Til Schweiger is now your film partner again as Bertie, who is also mature but not quite as successful, but also screenwriter and director of “Manta, Manta – Zwoter Teil”. How was that for you? It was a completely new experience for me – and super exciting. I’ve known Til as an actor for a long time, but had never seen him as a director. I had to wait and see how that felt because I’m someone who relies a lot on my director for my work. Now I can say with complete conviction: Til is an incredibly intuitive, spontaneous and emotional director – it was great to work with him. I think we retold “Manta, Manta” in a contemporary way. And we have once again succeeded in creating an action-packed comedy in which he doesn’t miss out on love either.
What was it like shooting a sequel after all these years? Meeting Til, Michael (Kessler) and Martin (Armknecht) again was a very special feeling. Embracing each other and knowing that we are working together again after more than thirty years in this constellation was highly emotional. The evening before the first day of shooting, we all went to the cinema and watched the first part together. After that, everyone really wanted to get started.
“Manta Manta – Part Two”
30 years after the fast-paced adventures in Part 1, the paint on his Manta is a little off – and so is his owner. Bertie’s (Til Schweiger) car repair shop and go-kart track are doing more poorly than well. The former daredevil has given up his racing career and lives separately from his Uschi (Tina Ruland), who now runs a successful hairdressing salon chain. When he falls behind on the repayment of a loan, the bank threatens to foreclose on Bertie’s belongings. Then he comes up with a daring plan: He wants to compete again in the 1990s race on the Bilster Berg – and use the prize money to rehabilitate himself. To do this, he must first turn his old Manta back into the missile it once was. He has four weeks to do this, but now of all times Uschi asks him to take care of their son Daniel (Tim Oliver Schultz). A chaotic month takes its course…
“Manta, Manta – Second Part” starts on March 30 in cinemas. Other roles include Michael Kessler, Moritz Bleibtreu, Luna Schweiger, Wotan Wilke Möhring, Axel Stein and Nilam Farooq. And as guests, JP Kraemer, Lukas Podolski and Frank Buschmann are at the start.
Looking back, how important has “Manta, Manta” been in your career after all these years? Basically, the film has accompanied me my whole life. It was my breakthrough as an actress and, with 1.2 million viewers, was the most successful film of 1992. When it was broadcast on television, almost 11.5 million viewers tuned in – making it the most successful film that has ever been shown on private television to this day . I’ve always been asked about Uschi – and I’ve always loved it.
You have grown fond of Uschi? That’s the greatest thing you can achieve as an actress: that people take a role off your hands. A few years ago I visited the special exhibition “The Germans and their dearest child” in the House of History. Our Manta stood there and our film ran in a continuous loop, which really moved me. There is even a piece of the Manta in my Opel Mokka Electric: Its striking Opel Vizor front design is inspired by the Manta. That’s what my Opel colleagues told me when I was recently invited to a test drive event for the fast GSe models near Malaga.
Ms. Ruland, thank you very much for the interview!
The successful business woman Uschi drives this battery-electric Mokka Electric in matt gray in part 2 of the cult comedy.
March 2023
Photos: Opel, Constantin Film