Oliver Hirschbiegel

Oliver Hirschbiegel
Hirschbiegel at the Women's World Awards 2009.
Born	29 December 1957 (1957-12-29) Hamburg, Germany
Occupation	Director
Years active	1986–present

Oliver Hirschbiegel (born 29 December 1957) is a German film director. His works include Das Experiment and the Oscar nominated Der Untergang.

Career

A Waldorf graduate, Hirschbiegel studied painting and graphic arts, later film, at the Hamburg University of Fine Arts. In 1986, he directed his first film, the made-for-TV movie Das Go! Projekt, the script for which he had written himself. He became a successful TV director, directing numerous episodes of the Tatort and Kommissar Rex series. His first theatrical release was the well-received Das Experiment, followed by Mein letzter Film, which also met with critical approval.

In 2004, he attracted world-wide attention with the movie Der Untergang (released in English-speaking countries as Downfall), produced by Bernd Eichinger. It recounts Adolf Hitler's last days, and sparked an extensive debate in Germany over the portrayal of Nazi leaders. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards and a nomination for the Academy Award for the best foreign film. One scene from the film has become the basis for a widespread viral video phenomenon.

He directed his first Hollywood feature The Invasion, which was partly re-shot by Australian director James McTeigue, at the request of the studio.

In 2012 he is scheduled to direct the film Caught in Flight, about Princess Diana, with Naomi Watts announced to play the lead role.

Awards

• 2001 Bavarian Film Awards, Best Direction for Das Experiment

Filmography

• Das Experiment (2001)
• Mein letzter Film (2002)
• Downfall (2004)
• Just an Ordinary Jew- Ein Ganz Gewöhnlicher Jude (2005)
• The Invasion (2007)
• Five Minutes of Heaven (2009)
• Borgia (2011)
• Caught in Flight (2012)

External links

• Oliver Hirschbiegel at the Internet Movie Database