On November 10, the most successful German-born Hollywood director will celebrate his 70th birthday. With blockbuster hits like “Independence Day,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” or “2012,” Roland Emmerich has shaped the American blockbuster cinema. The 61-year-old author Jo Müller accompanied the Sindelfingen-born Swabian over several decades — resulting in “Meister der Apokalypse — Roland Emmerich,” a portrait that offers unprecedented insights into the work and, above all, the private life of the star director. The film is available from November 5 free of charge and ad-free in the ARD Mediathek.
Roland Emmerich hatte keinen leichten Start ins Berufsleben. Für seine ersten Science-Fiction-Werke wie “The Ark Principle” (1985) and “Joey” (1986) erntete er von deutschen Kritiker*innen nur Hohn und Spott. He left his homeland to seek his luck in Los Angeles. His homosexuality he hid to avoid being dismissed as a director of gay cinema, because he wanted to make action films. His first big project was supposed to be a science-fiction horror film with superstar Sylvester Stallone, but it never happened because he clashed with the then-successful producer Joel Silver (“Die Hard”). Silver threatened him that he would never find work in Hollywood again.
But Emmerich did not let himself be deterred. With “Independence Day” in 1996 he staged the invasion of alien monsters with unparalleled charm, wit, esprit, and breathtaking special effects — even if German film critics ripped the film apart once again. For the effects, Emmerich worked with young talents from the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg in Ludwigsburg.
Films with a Political Message
With the environmental-thriller “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004), Emmerich positioned climate change at the heart of a multi-million-dollar blockbuster more than two decades ago and helped bring the topic worldwide into the spotlight. The film had personal significance for him. After a brain-tumor diagnosis, he wanted to direct a film with a political message to give meaningful purpose to what he believed might be his final years. Yet he survived the tumor.
Even later, he wanted to do something other than action — and directed his only openly gay film: his “Stonewall” (2015) about the 1969 queer uprising in New York. It flopped with TV critics and — worse — at the box office. For him, the drama, however, was a “labor of love.”
A Documentary About Realized Dreams — Entirely Private
With nearly 70 years behind him, Roland Emmerich is still at work. Most recently he directed the gladiator series “Those About to Die” (TheColu.mn reported). His creed: “I keep making movies until I drop.”
Direct link
|
The film “Meister der Apokalypse — Roland Emmerich” offers never-before-seen insights into the work and, above all, the private life of the star director. Over forty years, author Jo Müller accompanied the exceptional filmmaker, visiting him in his villa, at private festivities, public events, and on set. Thus emerges a film about realized dreams, repressed sexuality, the rules of Hollywood’s dream factory, and life in America. (pm/dk)
