- Has studied economy and political sciences as well as at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinematographique (IDHEC) in Paris, France. Worked as an assistant director with Louis Malle, Jean-Pierre Melville and Alain Resnais. Founded his own production company Bioskop Film together with Reinhard Hauff and Eberhard Junkersdorf in 1973. Has directed several operas in Frankfurt a/M, Berlin (Germany) and Paris, France. Since 1992 chief executive of the german production company Sudio Babelsberg GmbH (former UFA/DEFA).
- IMDb mini biography by: Oliver Heidelbach
- SpousesAngelika Gruber(1992 - December 24, 2018) (her death, 1 child)Margarethe von Trotta(1971 - 1991) (divorced)
- Although being a member of Germany's Social Democratic Party for many years, he supported Angela Merkel's electoral campaign in 2005.
- Good friends with Nobel Prize winner Heinrich Böll.
- In the 1970s, he was heavily criticized for sympathizing with terrorists of the Red Army Fraction.
- Graduated from high school with Bertrand Tavernier (1959).
- Received the highest French order "Officier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur" (Knight in the national order of the Legion of Honour) from the French ambassador in Berlin (29 April 2002).
- [on shooting Return to Montauk (2017)] We all feel so comfortable in this project, which is such a rarity in this industry.
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