Angela Schanelec

Actor

Director

Angela Schanelec is a prominent German filmmaker and actress known for her work within the Berlin School movement of cinema, which emphasizes a minimalistic, observational approach to storytelling. She began her career as an actress, training at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt before transitioning into directing. Schanelec's works stand out for their contemplative nature, often exploring themes of isolation, family dynamics, and the passage of time. Her notable films include "Places in Cities" (1998), which examines the life of a young woman living in Paris; "Passing Summer" (2001), a portrait of lives intertwining over a summer in Berlin; "The Dreamed Path" (2016), which interweaves stories from different timelines; and "I Was at Home, But" (2019), a meditative film about a mother and her son dealing with the aftermath of his disappearance and return. Angela Schanelec has been recognized for her unique contributions to cinema. Her film "I Was at Home, But" won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, solidifying her status as an influential voice in contemporary European cinema.