Angela Schanelec — Director | Biography, Movies & Career

Biography

Angela Schanelec ([aŋˈɡeːla ˈʃaːnəlɛk]; born 1962) is a German filmmaker and actress.

Her films have premiered at numerous renowned film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival. She is often compared to several European avant-garde filmmakers, such as Chantal Akerman, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Robert Bresson, whom she has cited as an important influence.

At the 69th Berlin International Film Festival, Schanelec won the Silver Bear for Best Director for her film “I Was at Home, But…” (2019). At the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, Schanelec won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay for her film “Music” (2023).

Schanelec was born in Aalen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. She began her artistic career as an actress on stage, but is now best known for her career as a filmmaker, which began during her time at the Berlin Film and Television Academy (dffb). While there, she studied under Harun Farocki and Hartmut Bitomsky and met Christian Petzold and Thomas Arslan. Together, they formed the so-called first wave of the Berlin School.