By Christine Westwood
The latest new talent to be awarded the Shooting Star award at The Berlin Film Festival (previous winners include Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz), 23-year-old Berliner, Jella Haase, is acting up a storm on the German film scene. Haase stars in three productions at this year’s German Film festival, portraying an emotionally disturbed teenager in 4 Kings, a carnival worker who suffers a breakdown in Looping, and a supporting role in a remake of the classic novel, Heidi. Haase is known for her fearless performances, running the spectrum from tough to vulnerable, winning awards for her portrayal of a neo-Nazi sympathiser in Combat Girls and an underage prostitute in TV crime drama Tatort. Jella Haase talks exclusively to FilmInk about her passion for acting and the German film scene.
What attracts you to want to take on a role? “In general, the story is always most important to me. Do I like the script? How does it feel while I’m reading it? What does the story do to me emotionally? These are the first questions for me. Sometimes I start reading out loud, and then I can literally feel whether I like the part or not.”
What are your main strengths as an actress? “My intuition. But to be honest, I really don’t like being objective about myself. It’s always hard for me to watch myself acting. But sometimes, while watching a movie that I took part in, I’m able to forget about this and enjoy recalling the teamwork that went into making the film. Every film is an act of teamwork. When I recall good teamwork, it feels like I’ve done a good job.”
Can you recall one of your most challenging moments in acting…when you really felt that you had broken through to another level in your craft? “That’s not an easy one. I often feel anxiety that I might be unable to fulfil or satisfy the demands of my role. And then there are moments in scenes that I expected to be difficult – in which some kind of emotion or creativity literally explodes – and I’m surprised about myself. For example, Theresa Von Eltz directed me in the scene where I have a confrontation with my parents in 4 Kings in a very surprising and most creative way.”
What do you think German actors of your generation are most interested in, and what does German cinema add to the world cinema landscape? “We have strong female filmmakers in Germany right now, who have done outstanding work and build up a new German cinema landscape. The best examples for this are Nicoelette Krebitz’ Wild, Maren Ades’ Tony Erdmann, and the two movies that I’m presenting in Australia right now, which are well written and directed by two stunning and talented women, Leonie Krippendorf [Looping] and Theresa Von Eltz [4 Kings]. These movies are not only inspiring, but they create a new atmosphere in German cinema. Being a part of these productions, and being free to tell new stories with new perspectives, is a goal or a desire of most actresses and actors in my generation.”
What was your favourite part of shooting 4 Kings and why do you think that it is a standout at film festivals? “I love the way that the story is told. It’s a story about four young adults growing in their confidence and becoming friends during a short time. It’s so sensitive, but it’s also loud and quiet, and fast and slow, at the same time. I loved working with my amazing colleagues, and I’m more than thankful for the time that we spent together. Plus, everyone who ever faced problems with parents, or just every year’s Christmas madness, will be able to identify with the characters of 4 Kings. There is a great understanding of how young adults feel today. And this is what makes this movie so special.”
What has it meant for you to win the Shooting Star Award? “First of all, it’s a huge honour to be selected as one of the European shooting stars. I couldn’t believe it. Plus, it was an amazing time that we – the shooting stars as a group – spent together during The Berlin Film Festival. It’s not only meeting new and interesting colleagues – we became friends, shared our experiences, and helped each other. Without the shooting star programme, we simply wouldn’t have met. Finally, to be selected in this connects you with a lot of important international agents, producers, and other film creatives. It’s opening doors that you may want to walk through.”
What’s next for you? “I just finished a project for German TV in summer, Das Leben Danach (Life After), a drama about the tragic catastrophe at The Love Parade in Duisburg in 2010. It was a challenging role, and the film is very important to me. I can’t wait to see it finished. Plus, there are several projects coming up next year. But I believe that it’s better not to talk too much about it. I’m a little superstitious to talk too early about upcoming projects!”
4 Kings, Looping, and Heidi are all playing at The German Film Festival. For all ticketing, session, and venue information, head to the official website.
