interview by JANA LETONJA

German actress Flora Li Thiemann is best known for her role in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes‘ and Prime Video series ‘The Gryphon‘. Next up, she will be starring in drama film ‘ Gotteskinder’.

Flora, you just had a role in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’. What did landing this role mean to you personally and for your acting career?
I am super grateful that I had the chance to experience the whole ‘Hunger Games’ world. I knew this universe since I was a kid, so seeing it with my own eyes and actually being a part of it was really special to me. Meeting so many talented, inspiring, hard working people was also such a blessing, personally and career wise. 

You started acting fairly young, at the age of 7. How did you develop interest in acting?
Already at the age of 7 and earlier, I loved to get into different characters and to bring out different sides of myself. I also grew up in an artistic family so following your creative passions was always something that was supported. 

full look PRADA

Shortly after that, when you were only 10, you got your first leading role in the feature film ‘Sputnik’. How do you remember this first leading role today and how did you experience it then?
‘Sputnik’ will always be one of my greatest memories. It’s such a beautiful story and I remember falling in love with the role. I remember connecting to her spirit immediately. We were 4 children in the main cast around the same age, that’s why it was always a really safe and nice atmosphere. It was one of my biggest adventures at that age for sure.

Working with A-list Hollywood talents, from whom have you learnt the biggest lesson so far?
One of the most beautiful things that I experienced with A-List Hollywood talent is when they bring a really positive and grounded energy. I understand that being famous and having all eyes on you makes you feel a lot of pressure.But for me, it makes a person really special when you feel that they are still human and still see a set as a working place where we all create something together and where everyone should be appreciated. Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgård are two people who I will always keep in mind for how lovely and grounded they are. 

jacket ISABEL MARANT
shirt CALVIN KLEIN
tie GIORGIO ARMANI
shoes VAGABOND

You’ve experienced working on German and Hollywood productions. What are the biggest differences in your experience?
It’s hard to answer this question because I think you can’t generalize it. Every project has something very individual to it and it always depends on the people working on it. But I think I could say the biggest difference to me personally is that German productions feel more familiar and personal, while Hollywood productions involve more people which makes it exciting, but also more anonymous. 

dress MAISON MARGIELA MM6
shoes AEYDE

Which of your past roles has left the biggest mark on you as an artist?
At the age of 14 I played Nini in the drama ‘Tigermilk’. She experienced challenging things at such a young age and had to grow up really fast. I think I also grew up the summer I was shooting it because I connected to her so deeply and had to deal with a lot of emotion at that age. The movie is still really important to me. 

What are some of the goals you would like to achieve in the future, character and story wise?
I hope that I get the chance to go on playing in stories that mean a lot to me and that I find important to tell. Stories that move people, bring people to think or even help people by connecting to the characters. 

left:
necklace MARJANA VON BERLEPSCH
bracelets ROMANTICO
tank top ANINE BING
skirt LANVIN
shoes VAGABOND

right:
jacket SLY010
bra ZODIAQUE
trousers INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN
belt AEYDE
bracelet VERSACE

If you had to pick only one actor or actress you’ve looked up to the most, who would that be and why?
Natalie Portman. I love her energy in her acting. Watching her feels really special. 

When you are not filming, how do you love spending your days?
I am very interested in the arts in general. I love going to museums or exhibitions or create art myself by painting or photographing. Also, I am the happiest when I am surrounded by my loved ones and try to spend as much time as possible with my friends and family. 

What can you share with us about your upcoming drama film ‘Gotteskinder’ and your other projects for 2024?
‘Gotteskinder’, in English ‘Children of God’, is a really special and important story to me. It’s about two siblings growing up in a very strict evangelical family. They fight with the question of following the values of the family and community, which they always have believed in, or their feelings. 

bhs ZODIAQUE
earrings OCTOPUSSY
trousers HUGO

dress VALENTINO
tights FALKE

TEAM CREDITS:
talent FLORA LI THIEMANN
photography DEBORA BRUNE
styling CHARLOTTE GINDREAU
hair SELIN YALINIZOĞLU YILDIRIM
make up GUERDY CASIMIR
photography assistant FRIDA DIER
styling assistant NAJA KEPES
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA