Typically, when we speak about a well-rounded actor, we mean one who has experience on the stage and the screen. Perhaps, they have experience in writing and directing, in addition to acting. But German actor Fabian Hinrichs is well-rounded in a different way. His acting resume is full of credits on both stage and screen, but his pursuits outside of the dramatic arts – law, history, philosophy – are just as notable. No doubt this knowledge has helped him bring some of his most challenging roles to life.
This month, let’s learn German with the films of Fabian Hinrichs!
Get to Know Fabian Hinrichs
Fabian Hinrichs was born on November 22, 1974, in Hamburg to a policeman father and a secretary mother.
In addition to his father being a policeman, his grandfather and brother were also involved in policework. So it isn’t a huge surprise that initially, Hinrichs followed the “family business” by studying law.
His pursuit of law was short-lived, however. He paused those studies to pursue drama at an acting school in Bochum from 1997 to 2001 instead. He later returned to his studies in 2010 to pursue history and philosophy.
Following his time in acting school, Hinrichs dedicated much of his time to the stage. He was part of the ensemble at Berlin’s Volksbühne in addition to appearing in productions in Munich, Hamburg, Zurich, and Vienna, among others.
Wackersdorf
The film Wackersdorf from 2018 tells of the true story of a town that fought against a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant being put in their Bavarian community.
After moving to the economically depressed area, hopeful to take advantage of the growth, Hans Schuierer, a local politician, starts questioning the plans. He spearheads a protest movement that seems harmless until the government tries to aggressively and violently strong-arm them. That’s when the community starts to question what’s really happening.
The community’s concerns ring true, as in nearby Ukraine, the Chernobyl disaster occurred.
Hinrichs stars as politician Karl-Heinz Billinger.
Where to Watch
Buy on DVD or Blu-Ray from Amazon
Language Learning Focus
Listen for words like die Regierung (the government), der Protest (the protest), der Bürger (the citizen), das Atomkraftwerk (the nuclear power plant), and die Umwelt (the environment).
Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (The Final Days)
Julia Jentsch stars as the title character in Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (The Final Days). This important historical drama tells of the final days of Scholl’s life. The 21-year-old was a member of the White Rose anti-Nazi non-violent student resistance group. Hinrichs stars as Hans, Sophie’s brother, with whom she and others founded the group.
The group distributes pamphlets critical of the Nazis. Despite operating in secret, Sophie makes a daring move by dropping pamphlets over the railing of the top floor of a university building in Munich. The action puts Sophie, Hans, and another member on the Gestapo’s radar. They were arrested on February 18, 1943, and executed on February 21, 1943.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film. It also stars Maximilian Brückner.
Where to Watch
Language Learning Focus
Focus on terms related to World War II and resistance, such as der Widerstand (the resistance), das Flugblatt (the pamphlet), die Gestapo, verhaften (to arrest), and hinrichten (to execute).
Schwerkraft (Gravity)
In the 2009 crime drama Schwerkraft, known as Gravity in English, Hinrichs stars as bank employee Frederik Feinermann.
Frederik is traumatized after he witnesses a customer shooting himself after being denied a loan. Despite encouragement from his boss to put it all behind him, the experience changes Frederik.
An old friend, Vince (portrayed by Jürgen Vogel), who just so happens to be an ex-con, helps Frederik to explore his dark side. He starts committing crimes and starts to wonder about the other ways his life could have gone.
But when is enough enough?
Where to Watch
Language Learning Focus
Listen for words related to banking and crime, such as die Bank (the bank), der Kredit (the loan), das Verbrechen (the crime), and der Verbrecher (the criminal).
Fabian Hinrichs’s thoughtful approach to his roles makes his films a compelling choice for any German learner.
Practice, practice, practice! Discover more German actors and actresses previously featured.
Photo by Marcus Hoehn, courtesy of Players Agentur Management. This post contains affiliate links.
