Olaf Held is a German film director, cinematographer, and producer. He is best known for his work on the Academy Award-winning drama Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) and the acclaimed documentary Hooligans.
Held was born in Berlin in 1965. As a young boy, he developed an interest in films, and was inspired by the works of directors such as Stanley Kubrick and Werner Herzog. He attended the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin, and began his career in the film industry in the late 1980s.
Held's first feature film was Die Kultrevolte (The Cultural Revolt), which was released in 1993. The film, which follows a group of young people who rebel against the oppressive government, was critically acclaimed and earned Held a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
In 2006, Held released his second feature film, Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others). The film follows an East German Stasi officer who spies on a playwright and his lover. The film was a commercial and critical success, winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
In 2008, Held released his third feature film, Hooligans. The film follows a young man who is drawn into a world of football hooliganism. The film was praised for its realism and Held was awarded the Best Director Award at the German Film Awards.
In addition to his feature films, Held has directed numerous commercials and documentaries, including the acclaimed documentary Die Arbeit des Teufels (The Work of the Devil).
Held has also served as a jury member at several film festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Throughout his career, Held has remained committed to creating films that tell powerful stories about the human condition. He continues to work as a director, cinematographer, and producer, and is one of the most respected figures in the German film industry.
