Barbara Sukowa, a breathtakingly lovely German lead actress, initially made her mark in television and film as the protégée of the renowned director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Her breakthrough came with the iconic mini-series Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) and the haunting film drama Lola (1981),in which she played the captivating title role of a cynical, manipulative singer/hooker who sets her sights on an unsuspecting town politician, masterfully portrayed by Armin Mueller-Stahl.
Following Fassbinder's sudden passing in 1982, Sukowa went on to star in a string of striking, thought-provoking films by director Margarethe von Trotta. In Marianne & Juliane (1981),she received widespread critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including the prestigious Venice Film Festival and German Film awards. Her subsequent performance in Rosa Luxemburg (1986) earned her the coveted Cannes Film Festival award.
Sukowa's impressive range and versatility soon caught the attention of international filmmakers, including Lars von Trier, who featured her in the critically acclaimed Europa (1991). Although not widely recognized by name in Hollywood, this enigmatic actress has lent her unique allure to a diverse range of American films, including The Sicilian (1987),M. Butterfly (1993),Johnny Mnemonic (1995),Cradle Will Rock (1999),and the recently completed Romance & Cigarettes (2005),written and directed by John Turturro.
In addition to her thriving acting career, Sukowa has also pursued a second passion – concert vocals. In recent years, she has taken to the stage to perform works by renowned classical composers such as Arnold Schönberg, among others.
