Sheri Hagen: “Everone deserves a chance to grow”

INTERVIEW BY: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: KHASHI KHALIL

German-Nigerian director, actress and producer Sheri Hagen has long championed stories that broaden perspectives and centre underrepresented voices. As her new feature BILLIE heads toward cinemas, she speaks about home, creative freedom, diversity in German film, and the emotional, visual challenges of bringing this deeply rooted Hamburg story to life.

DISCOVER GERMANY: You were born in Nigeria and have grown up in Hamburg. What does the term ‘home’ mean to you?

Sheri Hagen: “A place where family is, where I feel connected and grounded, and where I can grow, put down roots, and feel free to become myself.”

DISCOVER GERMANY: What do you love the most about being an author and director?

Sheri Hagen: “To accompany my characters on their journeys, explore the boundaries they face, and discover how they grow, resist, and reveal themselves along the way.”

Photo: Hardy Brackmann

DISCOVER GERMANY: In 2015, you founded your production company, ‘Equality Films’. What was the underlying idea behind it?

Sheri Hagen: “I wanted a direct way to tell stories and bring them to life. Ultimately, I want to broaden perspectives.”

DISCOVER GERMANY: Unfortunately, discrimination remains a problem in the German film industry. How does your production company try to counter this issue?

Sheri Hagen: “By fostering diversity and age inclusion in front of and behind the camera, including in lead roles and head of department positions – and by incorporating well-being facilitators into my productions.”

DISCOVER GERMANY: In what ways must the German film landscape change to allow for greater diversity?

Sheri Hagen: “It needs to establish guidelines that promote diversity and underrepresented voices because everyone deserves a chance to grow.”

Photo: Hardy Brackmann

DISCOVER GERMANY: Your new film BILLIE is coming to cinemas soon. What can audiences look forward to? What is the film about?

Sheri Hagen: “A story of love, friendship, solidarity, and violence, woven together with humour and drama. At its centre are two strong Black women, surrounded by an exceptional ensemble cast. A story rooted in Hamburg, reflecting Germany.”

DISCOVER GERMANY: As a director, what did you like most about the new film? Were there specific aspects that were particularly interesting to bring to the screen?Sheri Hagen: “The tone of the film was both highly compelling and challenging – how far do I go into pain, exaggeration, or absurdity, as well as in making decisions about the colour design of the individual characters and spaces: which colour do I assign to which character and which space?”

DISCOVER GERMANY: You have already achieved quite a lot. What wishes and dreams do you still have?

Sheri Hagen: “I wish BILLIE strong audience success and for my projects to receive more natural and consistent support in the future.”

Sheri Hagen: “Everone deserves a chance to grow”