Oliver Hirschbiegel

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Oliver Hirschbiegel (born 26 March 1957) is a German film director. His works include Das Experiment and the controversial Der Untergang.

A Waldorf graduate, Hirschbiegel studied painting and graphic arts, later film, at the Hamburg University of Visual 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, produced by Bernd Eichinger. It recounts Adolf Hitler's last days, and sparked an extensive debate in Germany over the portrayal of Nazi leaders, but for Hirschbiegel, it also brought a number of prizes, including the nomination for the Academy Award for the best foreign film, which he did not win, however.

He is currently directing his first Hollywood feature The Invasion which stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. It is set for a December 2006 release.