A German film director and screenwriter, she gained recognition with her debut feature film "Making Up!" in 1993, which was well-received in Germany. She achieved international success with "Bandits" in 1997, a film about female prisoners forming a rock band. Known for her dynamic storytelling and strong female characters, she directed "Blood and Chocolate" and "Iron Jawed Angels," the latter earning critical acclaim for its portrayal of the women's suffrage movement in the United States.