The European Shooting Stars initiative, organised by European Film Promotion, is one of the most exciting parts of the Berlin Film Festival. Putting a spotlight on the next big European actor or actress, previous winners have boasted alumni such as Daniel Brühl, Carey Mulligan and Alicia Vikander. Over the next couple of days, Sleek Magazine are teaming up with Audi to profile five of the winners. Next up, Slovenian actress Maruša Majer.
Making her name in her native Slovenia, Maruša Majer has proven her chops on stage, television and film. A graduate of the University of Ljubljana’s Academy of Theatre, she won the Best Actress Award in 2013 at Serbia’s Festival of Children’s Theatres for her performance in Little Sleepy Star.
Her first feature coming in the Janez Burger-directed film Driving School, she made the transition to the small screen with More After The Ads. She will be reunited with Janez Burger for the upcoming Ivan, which will be released this year. Her uninhibited acting style makes her one to beat for the coveted prize.
We sat down with the actress to talk about what it means to be a recipient, what she enjoys about acting and her relationship with director Janez Burger.
Previous winners of the shooting stars award include Rachel Weisz, Daniel Brühl and Carey Mulligan. What does it mean to you to be a recipient?
Well I think it is a great honour to me. To my work. Not only because of the people that got it but also because of the work we all did to get it. Of course it feels nice.
Have you always wanted to be an actor?
No. I have two college degrees.
Do you have a favourite thing about being on set?
When I’m on set I always want to be someone else. The guy who has the cables, that’s what I want to be. That’s what I always think.
The gaffer?
Yes.
How do you prepare for the role?
In all different ways. It depends on the role. Depends on the difficulty.
The Audi S5
You’ve acted in theatre as well. What do you think the key difference between theatre and film is?
I come from theatre. In Slovenia there’s more money in theatre. There’s money in series now. I think they are the same. Because you have to live in the moment. I think it would be a difficult choice to say which one is bigger.
There are different challenges?
Yes. Getting into the here and now as an actor is difficult on both sides.
Do you have any ideal directors you want to work with?
I have many ideal directors that I already work with.
Who’s been your favourite so far?
Janez Burger. I did two movies with him.
What’s it like working with him?
It’s a fantastic journey because he takes it very seriously. He does not understand anything else above the film you have to do. It’s kind of freeing in a way because then you just do the movie and nothing else is important.
Is there a lot of space to bring your own part to the role?
Yes. There is a lot of freedom. He expects you to bring it.
What kind of roles would you like to do in the future?
I have done many different roles. I would continue doing that, as different as it can possibly be.
Photography by Stefan Dotter
Photographer’s Assistant: Lucas Christiansen
Styling by Rachael Rodgers
Makeup by Nora Belovai
Hair by Noriko Takayama