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Julia Jentsch

Born in 1978 in Berlin, Julia Jentsch is widely considered to be one of the best performers of her generation. Her first foray into drama came when she enrolled in the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin. There she learned her craft and in 2000 burst onto European cinema screens in Zornige Küsse (Angry Kisses) in the understated role of Katrin. Bit part roles in Mein Bruder der Vampir (my brother the vampire) and three German tv films, Bloch - Tausendschönchen,Und die Braut wußte von Nichts and Tatort - Bitteres Brot followed.
Her hard work and perseverance paid off in 2004 when she booked a major part in director Hans Weingartner's sociopolitical drama The Edukators, alongside the ever emerging Daniel Brühl. Winning rave reviews for her performance as Jule; A struggling young Berlin waitress being hounded for money by elite businessman Hardenberg, after she damages his car, and botched kidnapping by the films main three protagonists ensues. Propelled Jentsch into the forefront of European Cinema. In the same year she stared as Hanna Potrowski, in the critically acclaimed World War Two drama, Downfall about the last days of Adolf Hitler's Chancellorship of Germany. In the same year Jentsch also got her teeth into another Independent film by Production company Concorde Filmverleih. Schneeland a gritty and dramatic portrayal of Ina (Jentsch) a young farm hand who undergoes, sexual and physical violence at the hands of her abusive father Knövel (Ulrich Mühe). Her desire to be with newfound love Aron (Thomas Kretschmann) proved a provocative mix with reviewers.
Building upon her success, Jentsch would gain further praise in 2005. Taking the title role of Sophie Scholl; Who was part one of Europe's most famous resistance movements in World War Two. Jentsch earned not only good reviews but won her the Silver Bear Best Actress award at the Berlin film festival. Best European Actress at the European Film awards, Audience award at the European Film Awards and Best actress at the German Film Awards. The Los Angeles times described her performance as "Strong and graceful, quiet knockout of a performance is the film's most potent weapon. "
Credits in The Crown Prince, a rare cinematic performance in English, a main role in I Served the King of England followed. In 2007 a role SAT 1 adaptation of Richard Curtis film The Girl in the Café beckoned. Frühstück mit einer Unbekannten ( Breakfast with an Unknown, literal translation) a Political drama/ Love Story, saw Jentsch play the films main female lead, Angelina 'Gina' Franke. It was a film made in collaboration with Non governmental organization Cinema For Peace, who "promote humanity through film."
Jentsch showed her diversity once more appearing in German/Polish film production 33 Scenes from Life. In 2009 she appeared in period drama Effi Briest, Horror film The Murder Farm and Here Comes Lola. Booking a role under the directorship of Hans Weingartner, whom she had previously worked with on The Edukators. Jetsch stared in Hut in the Woods. The film has only had a limited cinema run in the uk, most notable screenings took place at the BFI (British Film Institute) London Film Festival 2011.
Her future film credits will include The Boundary Man as Eva Reich, a film currently in post production. Jentsch has also been confirmed to star in, German, French and Isrealie co production, Hannah Arendt. The film is a biopic of political writer Hannah Ardent's life reporting Nazi War crimes, notably Adolf Eichmanns trial for the New Yorker magazine in Isreal. Jentsch will play Lotte Köhler, Secretary to main character Hannah Aredent ( Barbara Sukowa.)
Jentsch has also been involved in the Münchner Kammerspiele, a theater group based in Bavaria Southern Germany. She has taken roles from Desdemona in Othello to Brunhilde in Die Nibelungen/ Hebbel with the company. In 2009 she appeared at the Zurich Playhouse as the main female lead in Major Barbara.
Jentsch has also expressed an interest in performing more roles in the English language.

What members say | Filmography

Julia Jentsch - what members say

The Edukators review by mattcole from West Midlands, England

Every heart is a revolutionary cell... 14 September 2007
...e limits of their abilities, and there seems little doubt that Daniel Bruhl and Julia Jentsch are among the most promising of the new generation of young German actors for w... Read customer review

Sophie Scholl - The Final Days review by SAI81 from Tonbridge, England

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days 21 March 2006
...but poorly used (it feels like an annoying friend telling you... and this bit) Julia Jentsch, however, is so good as Sophie that she raises the film several notches. I knew... Read customer review

Julia Jentsch - filmography

Hut in the Woods (2011)
Starring: Peter Schneider, Timur Massold, Henrike von Kuick
Director: Hans Weingartner
Certificate:
Not so long ago, Martin was a gifted mathematician with a career and a steady girlfriend. But after a spell in psychiatric care, he is released with no job and no way of supporting himself, labelled as mentally ill. Viktor is a young Ukrainian boy recently orphaned following his mother’s OD. When ..read more »

40% from 2 members
Currently unavailable

I Served the King of England on DVD (2008)
Starring: Ivan Barnev, Oldrich Kaiser, Julia Jentsch
Director: Jiri Menzel
Certificate:
Watch now: Included in all packages with LOVEFiLM Instant
A busboy with an inferiority complex and a driving ambition to become a millionaire, quickly rises to become a head waiter, but the respect he craves continues to allude him. When he marries a Nazi gym teacher, the Czechs despise him even more, while the Germans barely tolerate him. Rare stamps ..read more »

62% from 629 members

Sophie Scholl - The Final Days on DVD (2005)
Starring: Julia Jentsch, Fabian Hinrichs, Gerald Alexander Held
Director: Marc Rothemund
Certificate:
Watch now: Unavailable
Echoing 'Downfall's' contemplation of the darkest period in Germany's history, Sohie Scholl is a heartbreaking drama based on the real life events and the activities of the White Rose resistance group. Munich, 1943. A group of students, including siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, instigate passive ..read more »

74% from 6,678 members

Sophie Scholl - The Final Days - Blu-ray (2005)
Starring: Julia Jentsch, Fabian Hinrichs, Gerald Alexander Held
Director: Marc Rothemund
Certificate:
Watch now: Unavailable
Set in Munich in 1943. Brother and sister, Sophie and Hans Scholl are members of student resistance group 'White Rose' against the Nazi regime and are arrested for distributing fliers around the University. The two students are interrogated and Hans finally breaks down and confesses. Sophie has no ..read more »

73% from 629 members

The Edukators (2004)
Starring: Daniel Bruhl, Julia Jentsch, Stipe Erceg
Director: Hans Weingartner
Certificate:
Three activists cobble together a kidnapping plot after they encounter a businessman in his home.

71% from 9,424 members
Not currently released

Julia Jentsch facts

5 most recent films

Hut in the Woods - 2.0 stars
I Served the King of England - 3.0 stars
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days - 3.5 stars
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days - Blu-ray - 3.5 stars
The Edukators - 3.5 stars

5 highest-rated films

Sophie Scholl - The Final Days - 3.5 stars
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days - Blu-ray - 3.5 stars
The Edukators - 3.5 stars
I Served the King of England - 3.0 stars
Hut in the Woods - 2.0 stars

5 lowest-rated films

Hut in the Woods - 2.0 stars
I Served the King of England - 3.0 stars
The Edukators - 3.5 stars
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days - Blu-ray - 3.5 stars
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days - 3.5 stars

Most frequent co-stars

Alexander Held - 3 times - show films
Andre Hennicke - 3 times - show films
Johanna Gastdorf - 3 times - show films
Fabian Hinrichs - 3 times - show films
Gerald Alexander Held - 3 times - show films

Most frequent directors

Marc Rothemund - 3 times - show films
Hans Weingartner - 2 times - show films
Jiri Menzel - 2 times - show films
Malgoska Szumowska - 1 times - show films