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.

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)

External links

• Oliver Hirschbiegel at the Internet Movie Database