Daniel Brühl Set To Direct Nazi Era Tennis Biopic BREAK
Daniel Brühl is set to direct a film titled Break, which will serve as a biopic for tennis champion Gottfried von Cramm whose rise to fame in the 1930s saw him face off with the Nazis in his native Germany.
Von Cramm’s tennis career was “set against the rise of the Third Reich, shot through with political and personal complexity and a high stakes love triangle, which meant he went into the 1937 Davis Cup in Wimbledon playing for his life.”
Felix Kammerer (All Quiet on the Western) is set to star in the film, which reunites the actor, Brühl and the team behind the Oscar-winning film, All Quiet on the Western.
Hossein Amini wrote the script for the film, which is based on Marshall Jon Fisher’s “A Terrible Splendor: Three Extraordinary Men, a World Poised for War, and the Greatest Tennis Match Ever Played.”
Brühl said in a statement: “From a contemporary perspective, the extraordinary story of Gottfried von Cramm is one that demands to be told.
“Gottfried is a hero for our times. I’m thrilled — and grateful — to be embarking on this cinematic journey, and to travel it together with my friends Felix Kammerer and Malte Grunert will make the pleasure greater still.”
Producers Simon and Stephen Cornwell added: “Gottfried’s life offers a thrilling prism to look at the history of Europe on the cusp of war — but more than that, it is the story of a deeply personal moral conflict and a dangerous romance – and the life-and-death stakes of greatest tennis match ever played.
“The combination of Hoss’ mesmerising script, Daniel’s deeply thoughtful directorial eye, and Felix’s raw talent is a heady mix. We are thrilled to be partnering with our old friends Adam Siegel, Marc Platt and Malte Grunert, and to have the opportunity to work with the incomparable Edward Berger.
“It’s thrilling to be part of bringing the All Quiet team back together to tell this utterly compelling, hugely relevant story.”
Producer Malte Grunert (All Quiet on the Western Front) said: “The story of Gottfried von Cramm is one of personal heroism displayed with unassuming elegance. At a time when the freedom and liberty we enjoy are once again under threat from rising nationalism and far right politics, it feels as timely as ever.
“Reuniting with Daniel, Felix and Edward together with our friends at The Ink Factory and Marc Platt Productions in order to bring Hossein Amini’s fantastic script to the screen will be a joy. I can’t wait to get started and get on the court as part of this great team.”
This will be Brühl’s second time directing a film. The first film he made was Next Door, but Break will be a much bigger project for him to take on.
Source: Variety