Interview with Joel Basman – “Walter Sturm Spit at the Feet of the State”

Walter Sturm spat at the feet of the country

Zurich actor Joel Basman plays Storm in a new movie. A conversation about the ’80s, Robin Hood and Basman’s personal relationship with the criminal.

Published: 11/25/2021 at 11:32 AM

Joel Basman, actor, plays Walter Sturm in a movie — Joel Besman, actor, plays Walter Sturm in Sturm: Until We Die or Be Free.

Photo: Dominic Meinberg

Son Walter Sturm (1942-1999), the son of an industrialist from eastern Switzerland, ended up in prison several times for burglary, robbery and bank robbery. He became famous because he continued to escape: from 1974 to 1995 he managed to escape eight times; Especially in the eighties he became a media star. He was hailed as a Robin Hood and a gentleman gangster; He fought prison conditions in Switzerland with a hunger strike. Director Oliver Reese (“Ready, Ready, WK!”) filmed Storm’s life story, with Joel Basman taking the title role.

Walter Storm was represented in his own way – he pretended to be other people, in disguise. Did it dock there well?

Whatever the case. Also about his way of life: Don’t think too much, just do it. It is a trait that the actor benefits from.

To read this entire article, you need a subscription.

Get a subscription sign in