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Eva Habermann
Eva Habermann is a producer, writer and actress and singer based in Berlin. She had her TVdebut at the age of 19 in the international sci-fi show LEXX – THE DARK ZONE and went on playing roles in more than 100 movies and worked all across the world. Following her great passion for theater, she still regularly performs on stages across Germany.
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In 2017, after 25 years in the tv business as an actress, she founded the production company Fantomfilm. Together with her creative partner, Alexander König, they specialized in the production and development of independent films. Their first movie, the German-US co-production UNDER CONTROLL (2020), was selected for a vast number of festivals in the horror-fantasy genre and sold to multiple territories worldwide. Further titles include the horror comedy SKY SHARKS (dir: Marc Fehse, Raven Banner/Sony Pictures 2020), the US-German co-production CYST (dir: Tyler Russel), which premiered at FrightFest in 2020 and went on to play at numerous other festivals, the multi award-winning drama THE UGLY TRUTH (dir: Krishna Bhati), and most recently the festival hit SWEET DISASTER, directed by Laura Lehmus, which premiered at Filmfestival Max-Ophüls-Preis in 2022.
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Eva, you’ve had a successful acting career, but it’s clear that music is an important part of your life too. How did your love for music begin, and how do you think it complements your work as an actress?
I have always loved music. When I was twelve years old, I loved playing the guitar and composing my own songs, which were mainly about protecting the environment, broken friendships, heartache, or other themes that meant something to me. I was able to express my feelings well through them and bring them to the point. I loved conveying what I felt in songs and considered a career as a songwriter.
But I also really liked acting. When I was 17, I got my first job in a TV series, and after that, my career as an actress took off. I participated in over 100 TV and film productions, so I basically let go of my idea of pursuing music.
Your music video for “Lioness” shows your deep passion for music and storytelling. Can you walk us through the creative process behind the video and how you turned it into a short film that conveys the message of the song?
The creative process took almost three months. At first, I was fixated on the idea of having a real lioness in the film, but I eventually dropped it due to budget constraints.
I sat down with my partner, Alex, and as we kept reworking the story over and over, it finally occurred to us that breaking out of a prison by finding the key within yourself and refusing to be a victim would be the perfect way to translate the song’s message into a short film. Once that idea was born, everything fell into place, and the story of Lioness took shape.
It was very important to me to involve other female actresses because the song isn’t just about me—it’s about empowerment. It’s about showing that the key to overcoming self-doubt lies in realizing that you are not worthless and that there is always a way out.
As someone who loves directing music videos, what’s your favorite part of transforming a song into a visual experience? How do you approach bringing the emotions of a song to life through your direction?
“Lioness” was actually my first experience as a director of a musicvideo, and what I loved most was the teamwork that brought it to life.
With almost no budget but a lot of passion, my partner Alex and I had to be resourceful. While he focused on our company’s projects, I took on the organizing—from casting and locations to costumes and even driving the lighting truck. It was a true team effort, and everyone gave their all.
The cast was a mix of professional actresses and friends, all embodying the idea of breaking free from their inner prisons. On set, we worked closely together, creating a space where real emotions could unfold. My approach to directing was hands-on—I preferred being right there with my actors rather than watching from a monitor.
Of course, chaos is part of any production. From locked prison doors to last-minute improvisations, we faced plenty of challenges, but our team adapted and pushed through.
By the end of day one, I realized I wouldn’t be able to direct myself and be in front of the camera as a singer at the same time, so Alex stepped in to direct while I focused on performing. The smaller crew and the haunting atmosphere of the abandoned prison added an incredible depth to the visuals.
Looking back, Lioness was an intense, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding journey—one that proved how much can be achieved when a team comes together with passion and determination.
"Lioness" is a powerful video that reflects strength and empowerment. What was the inspiration behind the concept, and how did you want the audience to connect with the message in the song through the visuals?
It was important to me that Lioness wasn’t just a song—it had to be a personal statement about unity, female empowerment, and the belief that we are capable of far more than we often give ourselves credit for. This project was an absolute labor of love, and I hope my debut single resonates with and inspires others as deeply as it did for me.
The prison setting and the guards symbolize a mental prison to me. The guards—who represent condemnation—reflect how we judge ourselves: for our flaws, our weaknesses, the things that shame us, or the moments when we stop believing in ourselves.
At its core, the message of Lioness is about remembering who we once were—stronger, braver, full of life—and realizing that we can reclaim that strength, even when life has worn us down. It’s an invitation to believe in yourself again and to break free from that inner prison.
A song about resilience. A song about standing tall.
In terms of your music career, do you see yourself continuing to direct and produce more videos, or do you have other plans to further explore your music? What’s next on the horizon for you as an artist?
My inner lioness wears many hats.
I will definitely be recording another song soon—I’m already rehearsing a lot. I can’t reveal the title yet, but it will be more upbeat than Lioness while still carrying a message of empowerment. Alex and I are already brainstorming ideas for the music video, and we’re excited to bring it to life.
Beyond music, I’m also taking part in a seminar for producers, and we have two series and three feature films in development. Additionally, I’m writing a book on how to overcome stage fright, and I am working as an actress on an independent film in the next months.
Right now, I am ready for action, and I just want to live, create, and explore.
Music often has a personal connection for artists. What does music mean to you personally, and how does it help you express emotions or experiences you might not always be able to express through acting?
For me, singing takes more courage than acting—maybe because I come from an acting background.
I feel that singing is even more personal than acting because it feels like raising your voice and speaking out loud, putting yourself on stage, and telling a story that is deeply connected to you.
I have always surrounded myself with music. On set, I often use specific songs to help me get into character or set the right mood. You’d often see me walking around with my headphones on, letting the music influence my emotions and performance. My favorite song for dramatic inspiration is Lux Aeterna from Requiem for a Dream.
Music constantly inspires me—especially when I’m writing a story or a scene.
Do you find any overlap between your acting and music video work? How does your experience as an actress inform the way you direct or perform in your music videos?
I think I’m good at setting the right mood and putting myself in my actors’ shoes—being an actress myself. That really helped me as a director.
I interact closely with my actors and prefer being right there with them rather than watching from behind the video monitor. The DOP was surprised that I didn’t want to constantly check the screen, but for me, it was more important to sense my actors, encourage them, and be present. That’s how I started in 1993 as an actress, and I still love that old-fashioned approach.
As for performing, being an actress definitely helped me feel comfortable in front of the camera—it’s what I know best. But I also took my new role as a singer very seriously. I practiced extensively before the shoot, took dance lessons, and worked with my dance teacher on a choreography for different gestures. I even trained on a treadmill to prepare for the running shot toward the end of the video.
I put a lot of effort into every detail because I wanted to create something truly special to honor the song.
If you could collaborate with any other artist, either musically or visually, who would it be and why? What kind of creative project would you love to explore together?
If I could collaborate with any artist and shoot a music video, I would love to direct a music video for Florence Welch or Jetta.
Both are incredibly powerful artists with deep, meaningful messages in their music, and the Directors they work with like visuals are just as striking.
I admire how they choose music videos that blend storytelling with emotion, creating something that feels cinematic and immersive. It would be amazing to direct a music video for them—something visually bold and unexpected, where the imagery adds a whole new layer to the song’s meaning. I believe in the power of creative collaboration, and I love the idea of artists inspiring and pushing each other to new heights and both of them truly inspire me as singers.
For aspiring artists who want to explore both music and film, what advice would you give to help them merge these two passions into a cohesive artistic vision?
A music video has many advantages when it comes to production costs—nowadays, you can even shoot one with an iPhone. My partner Alex has directed several music videos and is also the editor, which has given me great insight into the process.
I believe editing is the key link between visuals and music—it’s where they truly come together. Alex edits directly to the music, letting the rhythm guide his choices, which makes all the difference in creating a dynamic and immersive experience.
If you’re passionate about both music and filmmaking, my advice would be to learn editing. It’s the skill that will help you seamlessly merge these two art forms into a cohesive artistic vision
What do you do when you're not thinking about music, work?
My work is so deeply connected to me that it’s hard to take a real break from it. I actually have to remind myself to step away from work every once in a while. Creativity is an output mode, but it’s not endless—you need to recharge. That’s why it’s important for me to get plenty of input as well.
I love traveling, meeting new people, and collecting memories—images and experiences that I can draw from later, especially on dark winter evenings in Berlin. I also enjoy being outdoors and staying active, whether it’s horseback riding, skiing, diving, or other water sports.
At the same time, I love quiet moments at home—playing survival games on our PlayStation, enjoying board games, or visiting museums. I especially love interactive museums because they bring out my inner child. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my partner and my friends, simply being present and sharing good moments together.
What projects do you plan to shoot in the future?
The next big step for me and our company is securing funding for several projects we want to bring to life. Each of them is very different, and through this process, I’ve learned that while I love being behind the camera, it’s nearly impossible to do everything at once. So moving forward, I will either direct or act—but never both in the same project.
As a director, I’m passionate about telling stories with strong female leads—stories of hope, resilience, and empowerment, especially in times like these. With the current state of the world, I feel a deep need to create protopias instead of dystopias. Films and music carry messages, and my mission is to spread strength, empowerment, and, most importantly, hope. Right now, hope feels like it’s fading, yet it’s exactly what we need to overcome the uncertainty of our times.
​As an actress, I’m ready to take on more mature and complex roles—characters like an investigator or a lawyer, someone fighting for justice. I would love to embody a strong female heroine. A lioness.
Photos: Oliver Look
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