Joseph Vilsmaier

Joseph Vilsmaier (pronounced [ˈjoː.zɛf ˈfɪls.maɪ̯.ɐ] ⓘ, 24 January 1939 – 11 February 2020)[1] was a German film director who began his career as a technician and cameraman. He is internationally known for films such as Comedian Harmonists.

Joseph Vilsmaier
Born(1939-01-24)24 January 1939
Munich, Bavaria, Nazi Germany
Died11 February 2020(2020-02-11) (aged 81)
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
OccupationFilm director
Years active1970–2020

Life

Born in Munich. Vilsmaier attended a boarding school near Augsburg. He then trained as a technician to make film cameras, and studied piano at the Musikhochschule München.[2] He was a member of a jazz group. After working as a technician, he moved into film, first as a material and camera assistant, then from 1961 as a cameraman. He filmed episodes of television series such as Tatort.[2]

His debut film as director, Herbstmilch in 1988, starring his wife, Dana Vávrová, was a huge success.[2] In 1995, he directed Schlafes Bruder, after the novel by Robert Schneider. In 1997, he directed Comedian Harmonists which became an international success.[2] For the films he directed, Vilsmaier was also the producer and first cameraman.[1]

While filming Der Letzte Zug in 2005, probably the last film produced by Artur Brauner, he was injured when he fell off a camera tower.[2] Subsequently, his ability to work was limited, and his wife took over directing the film. The couple was awarded the special jury prize at the 2006 Bavarian Film Awards for Der letzte Zug.[3]

Dana Vávrová died on 5 February 2009.[4] The couple had three daughters, Janina, Theresa, and Josefina,[2] all of whom became actresses and starred in a number of their films.[4]

Vilsmaier died on 11 February 2020.[2]

Awards

Filmography

Vilsmaier directed films and television films, including:[1]

References
  1. "Joseph Vilsmaier". Filmportal (in German). 6 February 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  2. "Sein Leben war "Fasching": Zum Tod von Joseph Vilsmaier". BR (in German). 12 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. "Ministerpräsident Stoiber verleiht Bayerischen Filmpreis 2006". Bavaria. 19 January 2007. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  4. "Schauspielerin Dana Vávrová stirbt mit 41 Jahren". Die Welt (in German). Axel Springer AG. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  5. "Pierrot" (PDF). Bavaria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  6. "18th Moscow International Film Festival (1993)". Moscow International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
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