Whether it is tackling anti-capitalism, the Nazi Resistance, or crime thrillers, actress Julia Jentsch is seemingly up for it all. The German actress will entertain you, move you, and educate you. This month, let’s learn German with the films of Julia Jentsch!
About Julia Jentsch
Julia Jentsch was born on February 20, 1978, in West Berlin. Jentsch turned to the dramatic arts early in life, attending a high school for acting in Berlin.
Her early years were spent in the theater. From 2001 through 2006, Jentsch was a member of the Munich Kammerspiele’s ensemble of actors. By the early 2000s, Jentsch’s film and television careers were firmly established. However, she continues to take on theater roles.
Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei (The Edukators)
In 2004’s The Edukators, Jan (Daniel Brühl) and his friend Peter (Stipe Erceg) are anti-capitalist activists who break into wealthy homes. They aren’t there to steal anything. Instead, they want to shake up the lives of the rich and indulgent and make them question the security and safety they feel.
Peter’s girlfriend, Jule (Jentsch), convinces them to break into the home of a wealthy businessman whose car she crashed into. She is now in debt to in order to pay the high restitution. The plan goes bad when the businessman comes home during the break-in. With no other option, the trio abducts the man and head into the mountains to lay low and figure out what to do. The film explores the culture of capitalism in everyday life while Jan and Jule get closer.
The Edukators was Jentsch’s first major film role.
Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (Sophie Scholl – The Final Days)
Jentsch stars as the title character in 2005’s Sophie Scholl – The Final Days. The film recalls the true story of Scholl, a 21-year old student in Munich. But she is not an ordinary student. Scholl was a non-violent activist and part of the White Rose, a German Resistance to the Nazis. As the title suggests, the film follows Scholl during the last days of her life. Sadly, Scholl was tried and executed in a single day in 1943.
The film also stars actor Maximilian Brückner as one of the members of the White Rose.
Das Verschwinden (The Disappearance)
2017’s Das Verschwinden (or The Disappearance in English) is a little different than the prior two works. Instead of a film, it is a crime series in four parts for television from writer and director Hans-Christian Schmid.
In the miniseries, Janine (Elisa Schlott) disappears from a small town near the Czech border. Although all signs point to the young woman choosing to leave and no crime having been committed, her mother Michelle (Jentsch) believes otherwise. When the police dismiss Michelle’s concerns, she decides that she will undertake the search for her daughter. But the more she investigates, the more that is revealed. Michelle is surprised by what she discovers.
Practice practice practice! Discover other great German language actors and actresses previously featured.
Top photo by Martin Kraft, MJK30966 Julia Jentsch (Berlinale 2017), CC BY-SA 3.0. This post contains affiliate links.
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