The European Shooting Stars initiative, organised by European Film Promotion, is one of the most exciting parts of the Berlin Film Festival presenting Europe’s next big film stars. Previous winners have boasted alumni such as Daniel Brühl, Carey Mulligan and Alicia Vikander, who later went on to receive Hollywood recognition. Over the next couple of days, Sleek Magazine is teaming up with Audi to put a spotlight on five of this year’s final nominees. Next up: Hannah Hoekstra.
Hannah Hoekstra
With 23 credits to her name, the Dutch-born Hannah Hoekstra is one of the most experienced actors on the list. Her most critically acclaimed performance was in Andre van Duren’s The Fury, which won her best actress at both the Montreal World Film Festival and at the Dutch Film Festival.
Graduating from the Amsterdam Theatre School, her credits also include Ivan Kavanagh’s The Canal and Sacha Polak’s Hemel. Her engaging and empathetic acting style makes her one of the most exciting stars to come out of The Netherlands.
We sat down with the actor to talk about what it means to be a recipient, what she enjoys about acting and who she’d like to work with next.
SLEEK: 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?
Hannah Hoekstra: I feel completely honoured and very lucky. It sounds a bit corny to say it because everyone always says it after an award, but it’s pretty true.
You’ve had a film at the Berlinale before. What do you think of the festival?
I love this film festival since its so open for everybody. This is just what I love about this festival; there are so many ordinary people. Of course the whole movie world’s here and that’s extremely nice. I think people from Berlin and all over Europe, are about to see nice movies. I think our job is so people see the nice work that we make. I feel good that it is so open.
Have you always wanted to be an actor?
I can’t remember wanting it or not wanting it. Imagine if you are a child playing with dolls, or playing in the sand, or making a castle, or making up stories, or dressing yourself up as something else. I didn’t stop doing that. I don’t know why others stopped.
Hannah Hoekstra
So you kept your childish enthusiasm?
I think so. Of course I’ve tried to professionalise it. I do my best.
What is your favourite thing about acting?
I think I feel free and I think it gives my mind the opportunity to make everything possible. To share that with other people and to open up their minds is one of the best things in the world.
We have Paul Verhoeven here at the festival as jury president. Would you like to work with him considering he is an icon of Dutch Cinema.
Of course, of course, I would love to work with him. He’s a great director. That would be really lovely. But I haven’t had time to watch his Elle. I’m going to for sure.
Who would be your ideal director to work with?
Well there I think are a few. Sofia Coppola is one of my [favourites]. And she’s a lady, so that would be wonderful. But the Coen Brothers would also be pretty nice. And even weird dark people like Lars Von Trier or whatever. I think we’re blessed with many brilliant directors.
Photography by Stefan Dotter
Photographer’s Assistant: Lucas Christiansen
Styling by Rachael Rodgers
Makeup by Nora Belovai
Hair by Noriko Takayama