As a teenager, Verena Altenberger had her heart set on acting. Despite a few setbacks, the Austrian actress has worked tirelessly to pursue her dreams. Today, she is not only an accomplished, award-winning actress but also the co-president of the Austrian Film Academy.
This month, learn German and get your ears accustomed to the nuances of Austrian German with the films of Verena Altenberger!
Get to Know Verena Altenberger
Born on November 11, 1987, in Schwarzach im Pongau, Austria, Verena Altenberger grew up in towns around the Salzburg region, including Schloss Winkl, where her mother was the director of the local agricultural school.
At the age of 18, she moved to Vienna to pursue acting but was not accepted into her preferred acting school. Undeterred, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication Science and later graduated in acting from the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna.
During her drama studies in Vienna, Altenberger was part of the Burgtheater’s Jungen Burg Ensemble and appeared on stage at the Volkstheater.
An Advocate for Austrian Cinema
In 2021, Altenberger and director and producer Arash T. Riahi took over the presidency of the Austrian Film Academy.
For Everyday German & Comedy: Magda macht das schon!
From 2017 to 2021, Verena Altenberger starred as Magda, a Polish geriatric nurse, on the German comedy television series Magda macht das schon!
On the show, Magda finds employment with the Holtkamp family, whose grumpy matriarch, Waltraud, has been bedridden since an accident. Although Waltraud isn’t initially thrilled to be cared for by Magda, Magda’s vibrant personality wins her and the entire family over.
Language Learning Focus
This RTL sitcom is perfect for picking up modern, conversational German (Alltagssprache). Pay special attention to the interactions between characters of different backgrounds. Magda’s dialogue, as a Polish nurse, offers a great example of clear, accessible German, often with a slightly simplified sentence structure that is excellent for intermediate learners to follow.
For Intense Drama & Austrian German: Die beste aller Welten
Adrian Goiginger wrote and directed the 2017 semi-autobiographical film Die beste aller Welten (The Best of All Worlds). The film is a powerful example of modern Austrian social realism, a cinematic tradition known for its unflinching and authentic look at contemporary life.
It follows seven-year-old Adrian, who is growing up near Salzburg. His mother, Helga (portrayed by Altenberger) has a heroin addiction, and his father is deceased. Despite the challenging environment, Helga is struggling between her addiction and the life she wants to give her son.
The film, and Altenberger’s performance in particular, was critically acclaimed and received a number of awards and nominations.
Language Learning Focus
This film is an outstanding resource for learners wanting to hear authentic Austrian German (österreichisches Deutsch). The dialogue is raw, realistic, and emotionally charged. Listen for differences in pronunciation and vocabulary compared to standard German (Hochdeutsch). It’s an advanced, immersive lesson in a specific regional variation of the language.
For Poetic Language & Romance: Sterne unter der Stadt
The 2023 Austrian film Sterne unter der Stadt (First Snow of Summer) is written and directed by Chris Raiber.
As a child, Alexander lived with his grandmother. When his mother passed away, his father promised her he would never leave her alone underground. As a result, he lives in the underground system of tunnels for trains. The promise has a profound impact on Alexander, and on his tenth birthday, he makes his own promise: never to fall in love.
Years later, Alexander notices Caro (Altenberger), a woman working at a hat shop in the Underground. And as he better gets to know Caro, he grapples with the childhood promise he made.
Language Learning Focus
This film’s dialogue is more poetic and introspective than the others. It’s a wonderful opportunity to focus on metaphorical language and the expression of complex emotions. The pacing is deliberate, making it easier for learners to follow thoughtful monologues and conversations about feelings and abstract concepts.
From a lighthearted sitcom to a gritty social drama and a poetic romance, Verena Altenberger’s work offers a fantastic journey through different styles of German, and a valuable introduction to the Austrian dialect. Her performances are a powerful reminder that language is as much about emotion and context as it is about grammar.
Which of these films are you most excited to watch? Have you noticed the differences between German and Austrian German before? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Practice, practice, practice! Discover more German actors and actresses previously featured.
Top photo by Maximilian Baier, courtesy of Verena Altenberger’s official website. This post contains affiliate links.
