From Nativity Plays to Berlinale Stardom: Julia Franz Richter’s Rise

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2020 marked a significant milestone for me when I was part of Christian Petzold’s romantic fantasy drama “Undine” at the Berlin Film Festival, an achievement that felt like a dream come true. This year, I am honored to return to the 75th edition of this esteemed event, not just as a single film contributor, but with two films under my belt: the first being “Rubikon” and the second, yet to be unveiled.

Following her captivating performances in previous projects, Richter shines as the lead in “Welcome Home Baby“, a chilling psychological thriller directed by Andreas Prochaska (known for “The Dark Valley“, “Das Boot“, and “Alex Rider“) which debuts at Berlin’s Panorama sidebar on Thursday. This thought-provoking film delves into themes like identity and trauma. Richter portrays Judith, a Berlin emergency doctor who discovers a remote house in rural Austria from her childhood family she was given away to. Upon visiting the property with her husband to sell it, her enigmatic aunt appears intent on keeping her in the village. As time passes, hidden memories and emotions start surfacing more vividly.

Movie enthusiasts attending the Berlinale festival can likewise see Richter in a significant secondary role within Johanna Moder’s film, “Mother’s Baby,” which will have its world premiere on February 18th as part of the competition selection. Starring Marie Leuenberger, Hans Löw, and Claes Bang, this movie revolves around Julia (Leuenberger), who becomes pregnant following successful fertility treatment. However, the arrival of the child puts a strain on her marriage. Richter takes on the character of a midwife at the clinic operated by a doctor played by Bang.

It’s quite extraordinary to have two movies at the Berlinale, Richter said to THR. “It’s a significant honor for the films, their creators, and everyone who contributed to the projects,” he explained. “Festivals aren’t isolated from society; they can often serve as platforms for social issues, discussions, and viewpoints. I’m more excited about engaging in those aspects than the celebrations.

As a child, Richter fondly remembers immersing herself in various roles during playtime with others, even before taking her initial steps onto the stage. “My pals and I were regular participants in the Nativity play,” Richter admits, “which might seem odd because I’m not overly religious.” However, she found that this experience was her introduction to performing. Later on, she pursued a degree in Comparative Literature, which she enjoyed due to its textual and storytelling aspects. Yet, she felt the urge for a more tangible environment where she could truly embody different personas.

Starting from 2012 up to 2016, she dedicated herself to her acting courses at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria. Subsequently, between 2016 and 2018, she became a part of the troupe at Munich Volkstheater, performing in shows like Medea.

In 2020, Richter garnered attention in Austria as she clinched the best actress award at the Austrian film festival Diagonale for her main role in Günter Schwaiger’s 2019 drama “The Diver“, where she portrayed an 18-year-old whose bond with her mother was tested when her mother’s former partner resurfaced. Her performance in “Undine” further convinced many that this rising star was someone to watch closely.

In the previous year, she starred in two critically acclaimed films: “Ghost Trail” directed by Jonathan Millet, which features Adam Bessa and is a chilling tale of Syrian refugees in France, and “Peacock,” helmed by Bernhard Wenger, alongside Albrecht Schuch from “All Quiet on the Western Front.” This movie is about an individual who excels at assuming multiple roles for money but battles with self-acceptance. This year, she will shine brightly at both Berlinale festivals.

Previously, there weren’t any specific acting mentors that Richter looked up to. However, she now has one, namely Sandra Hüller, whom she deeply respects both for her craft and the choices she makes in selecting projects.

As a die-hard fan, I often wonder how she chooses her roles. Sometimes, it’s the character that resonates deeply with me, and other times, it’s the captivating script that draws me in, Richter shared with THR. For the movie “Welcome Home Baby”, it was a blend of both factors. Additionally, I have an affinity for genre films as they offer immense possibilities to narrate tales in unique and bizarre manners.

A captivating aspect and difficulty in depicting Judith in “Welcome Home Baby” lies in her transformation from a clear and decisive character at the start, to one who gradually disintegrates. This role demanded an exceptional performance due to the intense emotional and sometimes demanding physical scenes it entailed. “There were instances that were extremely intense and physically draining,” Richter admits. “Another challenge was that the script required portraying various states and conditions, so it was often difficult to immediately dive into an extreme situation.” Fortunately, Richter revels in giving her best performances.

In the movie “Mother’s Baby,” Richter had the opportunity to act alongside Bang, among others. Admitting to being starstruck, but in a positive way, she feels fortunate to collaborate with such dedicated artists. She had admired Bang’s performance in “The Square” and was delighted to work with him. Their characters in the film share a unique bond, one that may not be immediately apparent, hopefully adding depth to the storyline.

The film director, Moder, praises actress Richter for contributing not just an upbeat vibe on set, but also unique aspects to her character that Moder hadn’t considered. “Julia is extraordinary and truly impressive,” Moder says to THR. “She developed this character in a manner that was entirely different from what I had visualized.

As a devoted admirer, I’d put it like this: “Just like every character I portray is unique, so too is my approach to acting. I strive to get as intimate as possible with each role, finding the nuances that make them distinct. There’s a gap between the written character, the director’s vision, and me – that tiny space where I struggle to reach might just be the most intriguing part. It’s here that I find the most vulnerability.

The actress chooses to arrive at the film set “well-prepared,” while also being adaptable to the unforeseen challenges that often arise in movie production. She emphasizes the importance of remaining open to these surprises, being present in the moment, and allowing herself to be influenced by events on set. Much of her character’s growth comes from collaborating with fellow actors and the director. And when things go well, she’s fortunate enough to work with directors and co-stars who aim to take her by surprise.

In addition to sharing the term “baby” and being associated with Richter, these films share a common theme: they delve into societal issues and explore the impact of trauma as a central driving force. As stated by Richter, he is drawn to narratives that reflect on our world and society, and this aspect is evident in both movies.

Don’t limit your perspective of the actress! She has had diverse roles in various genres, including horror and science fiction. For instance, she starred as the lead in Magdalena Lauritsch’s 2022 sci-fi thriller “Rubikon.” This film revolves around the crew of a space station who, after an Earth catastrophe, must weigh whether to venture out to search for survivors or remain safe within the station’s “algae symbiosis system.

She also holds a deep appreciation for well-crafted comedies and satires, mentioning that she used to dislike musicals in her youth. However, she has since changed her perspective, stating, “Musicals have the power to challenge cinematic boundaries,” Richter expresses. Thus, she now eagerly desires to work on a musical production.

Apart from acting, Richter harbors a passion for storytelling as well. He shares, “I delved into acting due to my childhood fascination with creating unusual characters and exploring alternate realities distinct from our own.” Currently, he’s engaged in penning two scripts – one in collaboration with an author friend, the other with a director. At this point, the projects are still in their infancy, so it remains uncertain if they will come to fruition. However, his dream is to delve deeper into this creative pursuit.

One concept leans more towards politics. As Richter explains to THR, it revolves around mining work from a feminist viewpoint, delving into extractivism and the issue of finding one’s place in a complicated world. The other narrative focuses on a family embarking on a vacation and the challenges they encounter during their journey.

Regardless of what lies ahead, Richter is eager to delve into various forms of creative endeavors and challenge herself in uncharted territories, without hesitation to venture beyond her familiar boundaries.

She played a significant part as a detective in a 2021 Austrian TV film titled “Vier” (The Cursed), directed by Marie Kreutzer, who is also the scriptwriter. Apart from this, Richter has showcased her talents in dance performances and music videos, such as the one for the Austrian band Wanda’s song “Jurassic Park”. Additionally, she has been involved in the stage play “humanistää!“, which the New York Times described as an “awe-inspiring theatrical journey into (Austrian author Ernst) Jandl’s whimsical linguistic universe.

In addition, I am involved in a music project through the Franz Pop Collective, although it’s currently paused. We’ve collaborated and even released an EP together. Richter shares that this project was named ‘Wuman on a Sofa‘, a reflection on exploring self-imposed isolation as a form of resistance in our progress-oriented society.

As a game enthusiast, I thrive on the excitement that comes from blending various disciplines. Pushing my limits is something I cherish, which makes me eager to collaborate across diverse fields with an array of fascinating individuals.

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2025-02-16 16:25