The two men on the red carpet are dazzled in a flurry of camera flashes. But they just can’t stop smiling, fists raised in a victory pose, really enjoying the moment. After all, who would be bothered by the blinding light on an evening like this? The occasion? The German premiere of the movie The Baader Meinhof Complex. Producer Bernd Eichinger and director Uli Edel have every reason to celebrate. Eichinger has done it again – brought out another movie that is the talk of the country. And it has been sold all over the world and nominated for an Oscar even before its German launch. The managing director of the company Constantin Film is Germany’s movie tycoon. Das Boot, Perfume, The Neverending Story – he has produced dozens of box-office hits. The 59-year-old is not even put off by difficult subjects. For example, he wrote the screenplay himself for the much-discussed film The Downfall, which deals with Hitler’s last days in his bunker. And Eichinger’s next hit is already in the pipeline: Pope Joan, based on the novel by Donna Woolfolk Cross.
Stefan Arndt’s films are not as international, but they’re also successful. The producer with the characteristic eyeglasses is one of the founders of X-Filme, the production company that breathed new life into the German movie industry with Tom Tykwer’s Run Lola Run. In 2003 Arndt landed one of Germany’s biggest movie export hits with the tragicomedy Good Bye, Lenin! But he also has a soft spot for small films and gave actress Franka Potente the chance to make her debut as a director. Til Schweiger put his debut behind him years ago. He is one of the most popular actors in Germany, especially among the ladies. He writes screenplays, directs and produces his films himself. One example is Keinohrhasen, Germany’s most successful film in 2007. At the moment, however, at the end of 2008, his projects are on ice. Schweiger is currently working on the other side of the camera, playing a role in Quentin Tarantino’s latest film.
