#BerlinalePeople
Interview with actor Langston Uibel

Known from Netflix productions like "Unorthodox": Actor Langston Uibel celebrates his second Berlinale this year. He plays one of the main roles in the competition film "Roter Himmel" by Christian Petzold. In an interview, he reveals what connects him to the Berlinale and how he envisions the future of the European film industry.

You are one of the protagonists in Christian Petzold’s new Berlinale Competition film "Roter Himmel". What’s your character and how did you land the role?

The film is about four young people that find love at the Baltic Sea. My character is called Felix, and it's actually his family’s holiday home where the action takes place. As far as I know Christian and the casting director Simone Bär both thought I could be the one for this part. We met up in her office two years ago and after a long chat, he offered me the role. Pretty nerve-wracking.

What’s your history with the Berlinale?

It's quite funny because I shot my first film ever during the film festival in 2008. It was a short film by Alexander Frank called The String Puppet. A lot has happened since then. So it's quite special to be back at the Berlinale 16 years later and have a world premiere in competition on home turf. Roter Himmel was created by so many talented people. I am very honoured to be a small part of it.

Apart from a sizeable filmography in film and TV series like "Dogs of Berlin" and "Berlin Station" over the past 15 years, you have been working at Berlin’s renowned theatres from Deutsche Oper to Schaubuehne and Deutsches Theater. What’s the thrill of being on stage, what do you love about acting on screen?

That‘s a big question. I actually think acting on stage and acting on screen are quite different and have very little in common. I haven’t been on stage for a while and I must say that I just admire film. I love making movies but also love watching and talking about them. That’s just how it is. But it would be amazing to work at the Schaubühne oder Deutsches Theater again some time soon. Let’s see what’s happens.

Everyone is chasing that magic “global content” that captivates audiences from Munich to Manila: What’s the secret ingredient that has made your pretty out there Netflix series "How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)" an international hit?

I don’t think there is a secret ingredient but the streaming platforms have changed the game for sure. Let‘s take Unorthodox for instance: It is quite extraordinary that such a specific story resonated with so many people around the world. I guess it has something to do with universal feelings but also with the access that these platforms provide. Also, I think innovation is key. That’s something the Germans need to work on.

You grew up bilingually between London and Berlin. Are you actively looking to work in the UK (or Hollywood for that matter)?

I would say I am always looking for the most interesting scripts and people to work with. The language or location is secondary.

Change you want to see in the European film industry:

I like the idea of big trans-European productions. Let‘s see more of that.

Director(s) you would love to work with soon:

Shonda Rimes and Barry Jenkins. I simply appreciate their work a lot.

Next up for Langston Uibel:

I can’t wait for Roter Himmel to hit the cinemas and get back to work after that.