Image Courtesy of "22 Bahnen".
“My little sister is my best friend. That’s just how it is. And with her, I can just be.” When Luna talks about her role as Tilda in the upcoming film 22 Bahnen, there’s no doubt, this story is personal. Based on Caroline Wahl’s acclaimed debut novel, which captivated readers in 2023 with its sensitive yet powerful portrayal of a young woman trying to escape a difficult family life, the film arrives in German cinemas on September 4.
“I think it’s a mix of everything. But mainly, it’s her place of peace,” Luna says of Tilda’s relationship with swimming. “That sense of simply being and being free and quiet, and that rhythm you get when you’re swimming crawl.” Luna herself has always felt comfortable in the water. “I’ve always loved being in water. That feeling of being embraced by it, floating a little, that sound, diving under, it’s just peaceful.”
Image Courtesy of "22 Bahnen".
While preparing for the role, she also rediscovered her own connection to swimming. “Luckily, I can do crawl. My dad taught me a lot. And when you really get it, when you breathe correctly, it becomes something meditative. I managed to get there and it can be very calming.” But the film’s emotional weight isn’t found only in the water. At its heart, 22 Bahnen is a story about sisters — something that resonates deeply with Luna. “I’ve always been into sibling relationships. It’s a bond you can’t break. It’s a kind of language where you understand each other without needing to explain, and you’re not afraid of being judged.”
Tilda is someone who’s carried the weight of responsibility far too early. Luna took that seriously. “I did a lot of research on alcoholism. What it’s like growing up as the child of an alcoholic… I think she had to become an adult very early on, taking care of her mother, her sister and also herself.” This internalized pressure defines Tilda’s way of being. “I think she pressed pause on herself very early and just functioned for others.”
Image Courtesy of "22 Bahnen".
That’s why the film’s quieter moments hold so much impact. 22 Bahnen doesn’t rely on drama it invites stillness. “I think it’s because they show real life. Those private moments, when someone’s just sitting with themselves and being quiet… I think that’s a big part of who Tilda is. She’s a very quiet person. But there’s a lot underneath. It’s boiling.” Tilda’s dynamic with Victor (played by Jannis Niewöhner) brings both intimacy and transformation. Luna had worked with Niewöhner years earlier, and the reconnection added depth. “It was kind of strange at first… but at the same time, beautiful, because I trust him a lot and feel safe with him.” Her connection to the character also brought Luna back to bigger questions about love and responsibility. “It’s a hard question when is it okay to put your own needs before your family’s? I think it’s important to go your own way. You only get one life. And at some point, you have to stand up for it.” As for acting itself, it has become her driving passion. “It’s a huge, huge passion for me. And I’m so thankful I found it because it wasn’t always clear I wanted to do this. I didn’t even know I liked it.”
What draws her in? “I think it’s a job where I’m constantly learning. Not just about being human and how complex we are, but about stories, about traveling through them. I get to learn so much. And it really makes me happy.”
She sees filmmaking as a collective act: “Every department is a piece of the puzzle. And if one is missing, the picture isn’t complete. That’s what fascinates me.”