Gerhard Scheumann (born August 9, 1934) is a German film director, best known for his work in the 1970s, including the notable films Die Ehe der Maria Braun (The Marriage of Maria Braun) and Lili Marleen. He began his career in the 1950s as a film editor at the Bavarian State Film Studio, where he worked with directors such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wolfgang Petersen, and Volker Schlöndorff.
In the late 1960s, Scheumann began directing his own films. His first feature, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972), is a psychological drama about a fashion designer whose life is disrupted by her lover’s arrival. The film was well-received and earned him numerous awards, including the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
His next film, The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979), was an even bigger success. Set in post-war Germany, the story follows Maria as she struggles to survive in the aftermath of the war, while trying to reunite with her husband. Scheumann’s direction of the film was praised for its subtlety and depth. The Marriage of Maria Braun went on to become one of the most successful German films of all time, and earned Scheumann a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
In 1981, Scheumann directed the musical drama Lili Marleen, which tells the story of a cabaret singer who is forced to make a living in Nazi Germany. The film earned positive reviews and was a hit at the box office.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Scheumann continued to direct films, most of which were critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful. He also returned to editing, working on films such as The Neverending Story (1984) and Bandits (1997).
In the 2000s, Scheumann began to focus on television, directing several miniseries and television films, including the critically acclaimed The Third Miracle (2001). He has since retired from directing and is now living in Munich.
Throughout his career, Scheumann has been noted for his subtle yet emotionally charged style of storytelling. His films often focus on the struggles of individuals in difficult situations, and his direction has been praised for its humanity and attention to detail. His work has had a lasting influence on German cinema, and he is widely regarded as one of the masters of the New German Cinema movement.
