Jan Li: The Beauty of Acting Is Discovering New Sides of Yourself in Every Role (Actor, Germany)

Jan Li Interview

 "These days, I really enjoy arthouse and indie films because they make me reflect on myself and on society."

Q. What drew you to acting originally, and was there a specific moment when you knew this was the career you wanted to pursue?

Honestly, in high school, I had no clue what I wanted to do. When it came time to choose a college major, I just picked film studies—mostly because I loved movies as a kid. I grew up watching Jackie Chan and Tom Cruise, completely idolizing the things they did on screen. I never thought of studying film seriously, but since nothing else really interested me at the time, I made what I’d call an “impulsive but lucky decision."

Of course, film studies isn’t exactly about acting. But one semester I took an acting class just out of curiosity—and I completely fell in love with it. I wasn’t particularly good at first, but acting taught me so much about myself. I felt like I was discovering new parts of who I was, and that was so special that after a year I switched my major to acting.

Q. Do you have a favorite genre of film or storytelling that inspires you the most, and if you could create a project in that genre, what unique twist would you add to make it truly yours?

When I was younger, I was obsessed with action movies. I mean, who didn’t dream of being an action hero, right? But the more I studied film and explored different genres, my perspective changed. I started to see film less as a business and more as an art form.

These days, I really enjoy arthouse and indie films because they make me reflect on myself and on society. If I had the chance, I’d love to make something truthful and realistic—because let’s be honest, the world is full of people pretending to be someone they’re not. 

I’m also passionate about writing fiction, and one dream project would be a modern love story with a subtle futuristic twist—something like Black Mirror, but with more heart. And my twist would be no twist. Just honesty.

Q. How do you prepare mentally and emotionally for a role, especially when it’s very different from your own personality?

I prepare differently for each character. If the role is close to me, I draw directly from my own experiences. But if the character feels completely unlike me, I try to find even the smallest connection between us, and then I build from there—using imagination, substitution, or whatever tool helps me bring them to life.

I believe that no matter who you play, at the end of the day it’s still you. You can never fully escape yourself, and that’s the beauty of acting—you’re always discovering new sides of yourself. That’s why I always start with some personal connection. And honestly, being yourself in the role is what makes you different from every other actor.

Q. If you could step into the shoes of any character from film or history for one day, who would it be and why?

Tough question—I could give you a hundred answers! But one that comes to mind is Gatsby from The Great Gatsby. I first saw the movie back in high school and really loved that character but obviously, I couldn’t connect with the character in many ways, but that's exactly why I want to be in his shoes. 

What I saw from him was that he’s larger than life, full of hope, but also deeply tragic. I think living a day as him would be fascinating—minus the ending, of course.

Q. The film industry is evolving with streaming, AI, and new forms of storytelling. What excites you most about the future of cinema and acting?

To be honest, I’m more worried than excited. A lot of these new technologies and platforms risk stripping away the artistry of filmmaking, making it more about money and mass production. But I do believe there will always be people who truly care about cinema as an art form. That gives me hope.

If we can use these new mediums in the right way—focusing on quality instead of just quantity—I think the future can still be really exciting.

Bio

Jan Li, born in China and raised in Germany, has been fortunate to experience a blend of cultures that has significantly influenced his worldview and artistic sensibilities. This unique background has not only shaped his identity but also enriched his ability to portray a wide range of characters authentically and compellingly. He pursued his passion for acting by studying in the United States, where he graduated from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting for Film.

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Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose