Angela Winkler

Angela Winkler, born 1944 in Templin, became internationally known as an actress through the films »Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum« (1975; Eng. »The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum«) and » Die Blechtrommel« (1979; Eng. »The Tin Drum«) by Volker Schlöndorff. In the theatre she worked together with directors such as Peter Zadek and Robert Wilson. For her acting achievements, she has received the German Film Award, the Gertrud-Eysoldt-Ring, and most recently the German Acting Award 2019 in the theatre category. In 2011 she released her debut album as a singer with »Ich liebe dich, kann ich nicht sagen«.

Her first literary publication was released in 2019 under the title »Mein blaues Zimmer« (tr: My Blue Room). In the form of autobiographical sketches, Winkler looks back on her life. She tells of her work with famous directors, her appearances as a singer, her relationship with the sculptor Wigand Witting, and her four children – her daughter Nele, who has Down’s syndrome, has also become an actress and a member of the ensemble of RambaZamba, an inclusive theatre in Berlin. The family often lived in remote places, in the middle of nature – in Italy and Northern Germany, in Auvergne, and Brittany. The book was pieced together from diary entries and notes, written by Winkler together with the dramatist Brigitte Landes. In an interview with the  »Tagesspiegel«, the author noted, »I write all the time…So much happens in life, and you forget so many things.« Not in chronological order, but with the appearance of great spontaneity and a certain eccentricity, significant and everyday events, observations and thoughts stand side by side, supplemented by many private photos. Winkler makes it clear from the very beginning that life is more important to her than acting. Time and time again she has taken a step back from her job to give her love of the country and family life enough space. According to the » Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung«, »She takes everything that happens personally and transforms it from her special perspective into something universally valid – without boundaries, without constraints, without a protective cloak, but with an open, wide view. Her notations are associative to the point of reflected volatility, unbound in the frank belief in her own passion and truth. Without gossip, she speaks of events in front of and behind the curtain.«

Angela Winkler is still active as an actress today; most recently, she appeared in the television series »Dark« (2017-2020). She lives in Berlin and in Brittany.

Mein blaues Zimmer

Kiepenheuer & Witsch

Köln, 2019