Meanwhile, the NDR spokeswoman tried to achieve reconciliation on t-online: “At no time during the shoot should the impression arise that the target of the satire are Greenlanders. The editorial team expresses its regret to the people of Greenland if this impression was created.”
Schafroth himself has now apologized for the action and expressed his regret. Schafroth told the Danish public broadcaster DR: The purpose of the action was to make fun of American President Donald Trump. But as he stood at the flagpole, he realized that the satire in this situation was not working as intended.
“And I’m sorry for that, in the same way that the Greenlandic people have become sad,” he told DR. “Because my intention was to play the role of an arrogant American who thinks he can take whatever he wants – because that’s what US foreign policy looks like right now,” Schafroth said. “In this situation, outside the context of our film, it didn’t work and I’m very sorry for that and I apologize to the Greenlandic people.”
Schafroth further said that he underestimated the importance of the flag for the Greenlanders. “In Germany we are not so proud of our flag. We don’t fly it in our garden.” It is still unclear whether and in what form the contribution that Schafroth produced will be broadcast. The next regular “Extra 3” broadcast will be on ARD next Thursday evening.
Schafroth had already attracted attention with a similar action on Tuesday. According to information from t-online, he announced to the camera in English at Nuuk Airport, shortly after landing from Copenhagen: Donald Trump had landed and the Greenlanders would be cheering him on.
