Balanced & Bold: Tijan Marei On Acting, Representation and Self-Care

For this month’s digital cover, we met Tijan Marei, the Berlin-born actress who first gained major recognition for her roles in the award-winning series Four Blocks and the film Ella’s Baby (2017).

In an exclusive interview with Title Magazine, she shares insights into her new projects: the comedy series Tschappel – fucking Hintervorderbach, set to premiere on ZDFneo in May, and the erotic thriller Fall for Me on Netflix. Aside from her acting career, Tijan is also a certified yoga and breathwork instructor, now teaching her own class called AntiDote.

What started as a spontaneous trip to India after high school has become an essential part of her life – a mindset and way of living that helps her navigate all phases of life. After completing her yoga teacher training in India, she pursued further training in breathwork last year – a practice centered on conscious breathing, said to help reduce stress, anxiety, and more.

In this Interview, we discussed the new generation of actors and creatives in the film industry rewriting the rules of coolness, self-care, and teamwork.

“I always wanted to surprise myself. I never wanted to know exactly what was coming next.”

How are you? What mood are you in today?

I’m feeling really good. I just wrapped up Berlinale. I had so much fun seeing all of my friends from the film industry and now I’m looking forward to focusing on my upcoming projects and my yoga practice.

You told me you’ve been in front of the camera since childhood. Was that always your dream?

I don’t even remember if I knew I wanted it first or if I started acting and then realized it was my passion. I was approached at the age of ten and invited to a casting. I got the role, flew to England, and instantly knew: This is it. After that, I started contacting agencies on my own because I was determined to continue. I went to a lot of commercial castings that I didn’t get—but for me, it was all part of the training.

Did that experience help you deal with rejection?

Honestly, I never really saw it as rejection. For me, it was more about learning how to enter a room and talk to new people. I was quite a shy kid, I would turn red when talking to strangers. Going to all these auditions made me train to step into a room and own it. And I feel I started getting the roles once I was ready.

What fascinates you about acting?

I love the variety – it has always been like that for me. Even when walking home, I can’t take the same route every day; I have five different paths I switch between. That’s what I love about filming – every day is different. You’re always working with new people, learning new skills, in new locations, creating something special together as a team. Acting is just the best job in the world to me.

Yoga and breathwork also play a role in your life. How do they connect with acting?

I’ve always wondered how people go through life without practicing yoga. It helps me ground myself and understand my emotions. I started practicing as a child, which taught me early on to listen to my body and process my feelings. Breathwork helps me release emotional blocks when I feel stuck.

Especially when preparing for a role or when a scene isn’t working, it helps me connect physically with the character. It’s a tool for self-regulation and finding my creative flow again.

How has yoga and breathwork shaped your perspective on life?

I find life more beautiful when I add a little magic to it. With magic, I mean doing things that don’t need to make sense to anyone but myself like talking to the stars for example. It’s important to remember that you are the creator of your own life.

That’s something I’ve learned through yoga and breathwork, and it’s a mindset I want to share in my classes as well. We all create our realities together and have the power to influence each other positively.

Is ‘Cocaine and Champagne’ Over? Has the Industry’s Awareness Around Health Changed?

There used to be this idea that partying or smoking made you “cool”. I remember trying to hide my “hippie” side when I was younger. I had long, wild, curly hair and would always talk about eco-villages and India. Back then, it wasn’t normal for everyone to do yoga and drink oat milk. But now, it’s completely normal to care about nutrition, practice yoga, and prioritize well-being – and I think that’s a good shift for all of us.

Has Mental Health Awareness in the Industry Changed?

There’s definitely more awareness now. One major shift has been in Intimacy Coordination. There are now professionals on set specifically responsible for choreographing and supervising intimate scenes, similar to how stunt coordination works. That creates a whole new level of safety for actors.

The MeToo movement was also hugely beneficial for the film industry. It set new standards and ensured that behavior that doesn’t align with our society’s values is no longer tolerated.

How Do You See the Shift in Female Representation in Film?

Representation makes a huge difference. I find it incredibly healing for the industry to see more and more women in leading positions.

It’s so important to move past the idea that only young women can be desirable or interesting characters. I love seeing films like The Substance or Babygirl, where we finally get to see women over 50 portrayed as complex individuals – not just as mothers or wives, but as fully realized humans with their own careers, love lives, and personal journeys.

One of Those Stories Is Told in Your Upcoming Film, “Fall for Me” – an Erotic Thriller on Netflix. Can You Tell Us More?

Sadly I am not allowed to talk about it yet. I can only say that the role was very challenging for me, I think it made me a better actress and grow as a person. I had the incredible opportunity to work with Sherry Hormann, an amazing director who has a talent for creating strong female characters without making them overly dramatic or hypersensitive. These are the kinds of stories I want to see more of.

And Then There’s Your Comedy Series Tschappel – fucking Hintervorderbach on ZDFneo. What’s It About?

It’s set in a small village in the deep south of Germany and follows a group of teenagers who just graduated high school. They’re caught between Where do I want to go? and heartbreak.

This project was such a joy to work on because I had the space to be fully present and spontaneous in my role. Our director [Marc Philip Ginolas] trusted me so much, making me feel extremely comfortable while filming. I’m really excited to see the final cut.

What’s the Biggest Lesson You’ve Learned in the Industry?

One of the best things about growing up is realizing how important it is to set boundaries. We, especially as women, are often taught to be accommodating and agreeable. But I’ve learned that setting boundaries doesn’t hurt anyone – in fact, it makes everything better for everyone involved.

What Do You Wish There Was More of in This World?

Generosity. Helping each other – it costs nothing, and it benefits everyone.

I’ve been lucky to find such a great community through my work, where we lift each other up instead of holding each other back.

I also believe that when you ask the universe for help, it listens. If you wish for something or put a request out there, somehow, in some way, it will be heard.

Credits:

Fashion Director: Neslihan Degerli

Photographer: Harry Miller

Concept & Styling execution: Sinah Griessler

Make Up: Susanna Jonas

Hair: Rabea Röhll

Studio: Anti Berlin

Managing Editor: Jasmin Kraenzel