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Paula Beer, German actress with burning talent
You have surely already crossed her intense gaze somewhere, right? Paula Beer was born on February 1, 1995, in Mainz, Germany. At 30 years old, she is about 1.69m tall, and despite her young age, her journey is already a great adventure.
Only child of a couple of artists, she grew up in a rather creative environment. It all started at the Montessori school, with her first steps at the piano at six years old. But very quickly, theater called to her, and at eight she joined a junior theater troupe in Berlin. Not bad, right?
She was discovered as a teenager thanks to Poll by Chris Kraus, where she won a promising award. That’s not common, especially when you see where she is today.
If you want to know more about her, you can also take a look at her photos and filmographies, it’s impressive how fresh her roles feel.
From Mainz to European sets: A teenager unlike any other
Paula Beer is not just a story of luck or timing. This kid trained in theater troupes from the age of 12, for four years, at the famous Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin. Honestly, that builds a strong character, right?
It is on this early commitment that she built her acting. At 15, she played a lead role in Poll, a German film that launched her into the spotlight. I admit, when you hear she won the best newcomer prize, you quickly understand that it’s going to be serious.
If curiosity tickles you, the magazine Gala offers an interesting look into her youth and career.
Her face then appeared in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, notably thanks to the film Frantz by François Ozon. There, she plays Anna, the fiancée, a role that really opened the doors of European cinema for her.
A career between demanding auteur and big spotlights
What’s crazy about Paula Beer is her ability to juggle between art-house films and big productions. Her collaborations with Christian Petzold are heavyweight for lovers of demanding cinema. Two striking films: Transit in 2017 and especially Ondine in 2020, which earned her the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlinale. Quite a spotlight!
But the young lady also ventures into more mainstream stuff, like with Le Chant du Loup, where she reunites with Omar Sy and Matthieu Kassovitz. A dual hat that suits her perfectly, a real snub to actresses stuck in only one register.
She doesn’t limit herself to cinema: the series Bad Banks is also a key step, broadcast in Germany and Luxembourg, which shows her ease on television as well.
To follow her latest projects and see where all this leads her, I recommend this gem on Numéro, a superb interview full of softness and intelligence.
Her private life, between discretion and passion for acting
You sense in Paula a great discretion regarding her private life. Not the type to spread her stories in public, which makes her even more mysterious.
She willingly talks about her passion for theater that runs in her veins, even if she admits that cinema remains her favorite domain. Surely, there is something in her gaze that captivates you, that makes you want to know more about this actress from another era.
Her bluntness about the roles that attract her is refreshing. For her, it’s simple, the character really has to speak to her. Regardless of the size of the role, and even the language she plays in.
By the way, we might soon see her speak perfect French, since she is taking the time to learn the language after her role in Frantz, where she shares the screen with Pierre Niney. A beautiful promise for what’s to come.
7 fascinating anecdotes about Paula Beer to know absolutely
- 🎭 She learns piano at six years old, but theater is what really fascinates her.
- 🎬 Her first significant role at only 15 in Poll.
- 🏆 She received several awards for her debuts, notably at the Bayerischer Filmpreis and the Venice Film Festival.
- 🌊 In Ondine, she plays a modern nymph based on an old tale.
- 🎥 She often works with the Christian Petzold director, with whom she made several films.
- 🇫🇷 She learned French especially for her role in Frantz.
- 📺 The series Bad Banks also reveals her talents on European TV.
Miroirs No. 3, her latest great adventure
In 2025, Paula comes back strong with Miroirs No. 3, a Christian Petzold film presented at the Cannes Film Festival. Once again, she plays a tormented heroine, full of mysteries, faithful to what made her successful. The critical reception is already very positive.
This collaboration proves once again that Paula has found a unique kind of alchemy with Petzold, between tension and poetry, always nuanced, never excessive.
And who knows, this year might propel her one level higher, perhaps towards broader international collaborations. The career of an actress like her is only just beginning.
You can discover an overview of her exclusive interview and recent projects on the Cannes Film Festival website, it’s a real treat.
Watching Paula Beer grow before our eyes
What is fascinating about Paula Beer is that at 30, she already has a filmography that stretches between intense stories and blockbusters, speaking several languages while acting, telling sometimes very different stories. That makes for a rare actress.
She offers a mix of raw emotions and sophistication, as if she lived each role fully, never hiding behind the mask.
There is a true literary and artistic breath in her career, which we discover both in her interviews and on stage or on screen. She doesn’t want to rush anything, which almost seems like a luxury nowadays.
An exciting path, to follow very closely, which still promises many surprises and great cinematic moments, both in her and in the industry.
To better understand her universe, this interview is clear and fascinating; it opens a window onto her deep thoughts and working method.
And here is a striking excerpt from Frantz, where she shines alongside Pierre Niney, showing her mastery of French and her natural dramatic intensity.
Learn more about Paula Beer, multifaceted actress
Her journey, still young, is already rich with experiences in Germany, but also in France and across Europe. For those who want to follow her more closely, I highly recommend taking a look at her IMDb profile and the very comprehensive page on Wikiwand.
A quick visit to her agency, Lambsdorff, also gives an idea of the international career she can still deploy.
As usual, finding more intimate interviews allows better discovery of the woman behind the actress. The site Voici offers some you can’t miss.
And finally, for a global view and very fresh news, the page TV Programme is an excellent starting point.
