“More Than Pina” A Conversation with Klara Lange

AFFECT sat down with Klara Lange, the actress you might recognize from Die Discounter. But there’s so much more to her than just her breakout role : She’s breaking stereotypes, embracing her femininity, and challenging the norms of the German film industry. A conversation that’s as real as it gets.

AFFECT: Hi Klara, could you introduce yourself and tell us where people might know you from?

Klara Lange: I am Klara Lange. I am an actress from Hamburg. And probably most people know me from my first big project that I filmed, the series Die Discounter.

A: What do people not expect from you when they meet you?

K: I think there are two stereotypes or directions why people are interested in actors and artists. On the one hand, people are surprised that I am not a little quirky or reserved in my role. Many see my role and are surprised that I approach people so openly, that I like meeting people and having fun.

Another stereotype is that actors are generally always the ones who take up space and are loud. And I’m not that either.

A: Are people prejudiced because of your role as Pina?

K: Yes, I think so. It often happens that people come to talk to me and say, "Hey, wow, I can have a totally normal conversation with you." Of course, they then think about what the character might think. But I take it as a compliment because apparently, the role comes across as very authentic, and it’s kind of funny to surprise people with that.

A: In what way do the roles you play shape you privately?

K: The role of Pina shaped me in the sense that it was my first big project that really got me into this industry. During the filming, where we improvised a lot, I realized that you should take many things in life more easily and spontaneously. If something doesn’t go as planned, it’s not that bad. You just try again.

There are also moments when I take something from a role for my life. Right now, for example, I’m working on a very political project that made me confront what I personally want to stand for and what is important to me politically or in terms of the world situation. That definitely happens repeatedly.

A: Do you distance yourself from your role after filming?

K: I haven’t played a role so intense yet that I needed a break afterward. I would actually like to try that and see what it would feel like for me. But normally, I go to nature after filming, for example, to Cuxhaven at the North Sea, to take a breath and reflect. That’s my classic.

A: Pina is not the typical “girly girl.” What does femininity mean to you, and how do you express it?

K: I knew from the start that this role, Pina, was very special because, at first glance, she might be perceived as a little weird or quirky. But I think it’s really beautiful that femininity isn’t just one thing. Every woman, including myself, has many facets. Femininity is not just expressed through outward appearance but also through character, how you interact with others, and how you feel in your body.

And Pina, for me, even though she has moments where she’s not entirely sure of herself, has a clear plan and is very self-confident in her character. She has found her own way in her femininity. For example, she feels comfortable in a techno-kinky scene but also has hobbies like hobbyhorsing.

I believe femininity is not limited to one point; there’s so much more to it. That you can do whatever makes you feel good and makes you happy, from all your little hobbies and express that outwardly without shame.

Femininity means feeling good in my own skin and not worrying too much about other people’s judgments. I’ve been lucky enough not to feel like I didn’t fit in, and I think that’s important. I think I’ve had many good people around me, family, and friends who made me feel that I am as important as I am. And that’s why I can celebrate femininity however I feel in the moment.

A: How do you feel as a woman in the German film industry? And when do you consider actions to be inappropriate on set?

K: I’ve been really lucky that on the sets I’ve worked on, there were always a lot of women involved. The horror stories I’ve heard from colleagues I’ve been lucky enough not to experience. But there are always moments when I hear about an actor who has acted sexist toward women on set, and I wonder why this person is still working. Actually, it’s well-known throughout the industry, and still, they are celebrated as heroes. When these people are on set, you work with slightly hunched shoulders on such a day, and it just makes you feel extremely uncomfortable.

But I was lucky to have people I could talk to about it. But I believe there are still a lot of sets where women work, and there aren’t really any good points of contact to turn to.

A: How do productions handle such incidents based on your experience?

K: There are well-known names in our industry about whom documentaries have been made. Everyone knows these people behave disrespectfully, but they continue to work because they generate high ratings. I find it difficult that these people are still given a platform, even though we know how badly they treat others. They continue to work because they create a hype and bring in money.

The days should be over when you can be talented but still treat others badly. I believe those people should either stop working or work hard on themselves to create a better environment overall. There’s still a lot of work to be done.

A: Were there situations where you hesitated to speak up? If so, why?

K: I see it a lot with colleagues that they hesitate to speak up, especially if they are just starting out in their career. If you’re only on set for one or two days, you might feel uncomfortable but don’t want to create bad vibes. There’s this fear of being seen as a “difficult woman,” but you have to speak up about even the little remarks or glances to create a safe and respectful working environment.

A: What changes would you like to see in the industry, especially with women on set?

K: Where to start? A basic would be equal pay for all. It’s often said that everyone gets the same fee, but men still earn more.

There are still many women who consider whether to start a family because they are afraid they won’t get any more offers, or they try to hide their pregnancy from social media and the industry. Better frameworks need to be created to support these people so that actresses still want to work. There should also be more diverse and interesting female roles written, which is why more women need to be in writers’ rooms. It’s about telling stories from different perspectives that truly reflect reality.

A: What would you say to men who work in this industry and hold responsibility?

K: It’s also cool for men to ask women for help. If you want to tell a story, bring women into the team for a real exchange. It’s not just about portraying romance or women’s feelings but also about their perspectives and experiences.

K: Because I believe writing only from the male perspective is just... boring. So, go ahead and ask for help. It’s not uncool to ask.

A: Do the political positions of your roles always have to align with your own?

K: No, I think it’s exciting to play roles whose political or social positions differ greatly from my own. That creates interesting discourse. It’s about diving into different life realities and understanding them.

If we don’t talk to each other, we just keep distancing ourselves. I think the most interesting films are the ones where, as an actor or a viewer, you think, "Wow, this is so far from me, but this is the reality of many people." And if we don’t look at that or listen to it, we’ll just keep pushing each other further apart.

A: Do you feel a political responsibility as a public figure?

K: I often wondered how to position myself politically with the increasing followers I’ve gained over the years. I realized that I find it particularly cool, in my case as an actress, to express my political stance through the films and projects I choose. You can make statements through films without explicitly doing so, and I find that fascinating.

It can happen in comedy series, like Die Discounter, where it subtly comes through, or in a film I just shot, Camouflage, which deals with a refugee story of a young Ukrainian coming to Germany. And by portraying that with my face and standing behind it, I can say, "Hey, look at this film, because I believe it helps us all be more open-minded."

A: What should change in the industry in the next five years, and how do you want to contribute?

K: That every person who watches a German film can identify with a small role, a big role, a scene, a moment, or a feeling.

I know many people from different backgrounds, with different bodies, skin colors, or even physical or mental limitations, who absolutely haven’t had characters they could identify with.So, behind the camera, in writers' rooms, in makeup, and in front of the camera, casting should be more diverse and inclusive.

And in five years … , we may not have solved everything, but even if some people find it challenging, we should still be persistent in helping.

I work with an organization, Rollenfang, which advocates for actors with disabilities and works on inclusion behind the scenes. They work to break down barriers, liaise with production companies, and act as points of contact. I also continue to exchange ideas with people on set to break down fears because I think a lot

A: Do you have a final message for the industry?

K: Try not to be afraid of people who are different from you. Listen to them, and together we can tell more exciting, realistic stories. And don’t think you’re being difficult just because you stand up for change. That’s the only way we can make a difference.

Interview by Noémi Zak