After studying acting, philosophy and psychology in the USA, this German artist studied at the Academy of Television & Film (HFF/M) in Munich, where she is also an instructor today. In addition to directing, she is a celebrated writer of novels, short stories and children's books. In 2002, she directed the opera Cosi Fan Tutte at the State Opera in Berlin, and in 2003 the opera production, Turandot. Her prize-winning films include: Men (Maenner, 1985) and Naked (Nackt, 2002) based on her novel Happy, and many more.