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Actor Dennis Mojen is emerging as a beacon of unbridled talent and magnetic allure. The 31-year-old German actor has starred in everything from the romantic comedy Isi & Ossi to the police procedural drama Tatort. Now Mojen, with his chiseled charm and eloquent candor, opens the doors for Schön! to explore his creative sanctuary, sharing the secrets of his craft and the inspirations that breathe life into his characters.
The latest project is Spieleabend (or Blame the Game) which centers on the blossoming glow of newfound love between Pia, portrayed by the luminous Janina Uhse, and Jan, played by the captivating Mojen. They decide to infuse their romance with the thrill of a game night, inviting Pia’s inner circle for an evening of camaraderie and cheer. As Jan steps into the intimate world of Pia’s eclectic ensemble he feels the weight of first impressions heavy upon his shoulders. As the night deepens, Jan must confront not only Pia’s past but also his own insecurities, making every moment a poignant blend of risk and revelation. It is a night where the players are many, the stakes are high, and the ultimate prize is the very essence of Jan’s burgeoning relationship and the truths it must uncover.
Schön! chats with Dennis Mojen about Spieleabend, what excites him about upcoming roles, and more.
full look. Hugo Boss
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How would you describe your growth as an actor from your first project to now?
I have been part of the industry for about seventeen years now and a lot has happened. I grew up under very insecure circumstances, my childhood wasn’t very stable. Acting gave me that stability — in acting I felt safe and secure. For the first years of my career, I didn’t think about acting as a job or something I could gain growth with. I think in my early twenties, I started to realize that the roles I got offered were all so different and that I truly love that diversity about it. But to answer your question more precisely – I understood over the years that a “No” doesn’t mean you are “bad” and that I learned how to trust in myself. Whatever happens, happens for a reason and I might just see the greater good in the end. But I will grow with the experiences — and I trust in it. No matter what.
You aim to play characters who have a different view of the world. What criteria do you use to choose your roles, and how do you ensure they align with your personal and professional goals?
Like I mentioned before: at first, at a very young age, I wasn’t really picky. I mean, you can’t be at the beginning of your career. I was just happy to be part of a world that is so different from anything else I had ever experienced before. Nowadays I need to find something in a script I can connect with. Something I find challenging. The criteria however can be extremely varying.
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Your new film Spieleabend is out on Netflix, can you tell us a bit about what attracted you to the role and what the premise is?
That’s right! It’s out now and we are all SO hyped about it. What I love about my character, Jan, is that he is just a really happy person. He has no issues with himself or with his life — although it’s not a very glamorous life. He has his best friend Alex [Edin Hasanovic], his dog Eddy, and his bicycle shop, that’s about it. He couldn’t be any happier. If you would bet against him that his life is about to change pretty soon, pretty drastically, he’d be going all in on that bet, because he’s so certain that nothing could ever destroy his harmony. Also, I think it is so interesting to see how the social structure of a group of people can change very quickly if something (or someone) external joins in and reflects the behaviour of the group.
Your motto is “life itself is the best school” and you want each of your characters to be worked out prior to filming. Was there anything in particular that you did to prepare for the role in Spieleabend?
Jan has no significant manors or skills I needed to focus on – so on that end, I could allow myself to be a bit lazy [laughs]. But there is this scene at the end where he decides it would be a great idea to get rid of all of his clothes and make a fool of himself. For that particular scene, I worked with a personal trainer Tanner Quin Delk for five months, every single day.
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You played opposite character Pia’s ex Stephan Luca, what was it like going toe-to-toe with him?
So joyful! Stephan is just an amazing, lovely and endlessly funny guy. I loved every single sequence with him because he filled the scenes with his talent and dropped the punchlines so precisely. He made it easy for me to act with him and hard for me to be mad with him at the same time.
You recently filmed “Comandante Fritz” which was in Spanish, a language you weren’t exactly familiar with prior. What was that experience like?
It’s been an absolutely outstanding experience,- and you’re right: I barely speak Spanish, only a few words. But I was lucky enough to work with an excellent language coach Eva Marciel and the wonderful Cuban actress Yany Prado, who listened very carefully if I was pronouncing the words correctly. I think it sounded more or less acceptable… At least I didn’t get fired. I also learned to play the piano for that movie but that’s a whole other chapter, I now, surely, could write a book about [laughs].
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Who are some artists, directors, or writers you dream of collaborating with, and what draws you to them?
Paolo Sorrentino! Everything he does in his movies speaks to me. It’s the way he draws the scenes, the way he forms the dialogue in his films – to me, he is one of the greatest and probably always will be. To work with him would be an absolute dream come true.
Are there any passion projects or causes you are particularly passionate about that you wish to pursue outside of acting?
I always dreamed about creating and producing a movie with friends. And I am so thrilled to be doing so. A friend of mine founded a film production company a couple of years ago and we’re on to things.
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What do you hope to be remembered for, both as an artist and as an individual?
Principals, integrity and backbone. The film-making world can be the greatest place, but it can also be a bad one. It can feel like heaven on earth but in the next second, it can feel like the opposite. It is constantly challenging you and has so many temptations that you could get lost behind glamour, money and fame quite easily. But when you stick to your principles, keep your integrity and show some backbone when it’s needed, you’ll be fine I guess. That’s what I would like to be remembered for.
Lastly, if you could manifest or dream something for yourself this year, what would it be?
My favourite football team is Atalanta Bergamo. They’ve just won their first cup in a few decades. The UEFA Europa League. What a blast! If I had one personal wish for the rest of the year – Atalanta winning the Champions League!!
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Spieleabend is out now.
photography. Alexander Courtman
fashion. Gianluca Cococcia
talent. Dennis Mojen
talent management. Marie-Claire Kozik
grooming. Niklas Kemmler
production. Dirk Meycke
videography. Markus Ostermeier
location. Ehret+Klein „Wiege Von Starnberg
