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Cruise vs. Germany
Nov. 30th, 2007 12:03 pmI've been collecting these news bits for half a year now since I've been waiting for the shit to hit the fan. It never happened, so I never posted it. It still hasn't, but I just thought today's news bit was the perfect closure for the entire saga of "Cruise vs. Germany". Here it goes:
26 June 2007
Germany To Limit Cruise Filming -- Because He's a Scientologist
In an ironic act that some commentators said revealed yet another display of German religious intolerance, the German Defense Ministry has barred the producers of a film about the World War II "generals' plot" to assassinate Hitler from using German military sites because it stars Tom Cruise, a Scientologist. Cruise portrays the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. In a statement, Harald Kammerbauer, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said that United Artists, which is producing the film and which is headed by Cruise, "will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult. ... The [Federal Armed Forces have] a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg's person." Cruise's partner, Paula Wagner, issued a statement saying that the movie, titled Valkyrie after the plot's codename, depicts Stauffenberg as a "heroic and principled figure" and will remind "the world that even within the ranks of the German military, there was real resistance to the Nazi regime." She said that Cruise's "personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes or content."
27 June 2007
Cruise Responds to German Filming Ban
Tom Cruise has vowed Scientology will have no impact on his portrayal of a legendary German assassin, after being banned from filming at the country's military bases because of his controversial beliefs. The actor is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites has been denied by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. However, Cruise is adamant his beliefs have nothing to do with characterization, and is desperate to shoot the movie on location in von Stauffenberg's homeland. His producing partner and United Artists CEO Paula Wagner says, "Aside from his obvious admiration of the man he is portraying, Mr. Cruise's personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes, or content. And even though we could shoot the movie anywhere in the world, we believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice." Von Stauffenberg's briefcase bomb in 1944 only succeeded in wounding Hitler. He was executed by firing squad for the plot the next morning.
28 June 2007
Controversy Over Cruise Movie Spreads in Germany
Word that Scientologist Tom Cruise will portray the leader of the so-called Generals' Plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II has touched off an ever-growing political firestorm in Germany, according to an Associated Press report from Berlin. Following a decision by the German military to bar the producers of the film, titled Valkyrie, after the code name used by the plotters, from using military bases as locales, a number of German lawmakers have gone on record to denounce the entire project. Social Democratic lawmaker Klaus Uwe Benneter said that having a Scientologist play Col. Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg, who is now regarded as a national hero, represents "a slap in the face to all upstanding democrats, all resistance fighters during the Third Reich, and all victims of the Scientology sect." But a Scientology spokeswoman in Berlin called the response a call to religious discrimination. And in an interview with the AP, Carl Woebcken, head of Babelsberg studio, which is co-producing the movie with United Artists, commented, "This is not a Scientology film, it is a Bryan Singer film, and Bryan Singer is Jewish ... and they want to make this film to show that during the Nazi regime there was heroic resistance. [Tom Cruise] is one of the best, if not the best, actors in the world for heroic roles and that is why Bryan Singer approached him."
29 June 2007
Germans Relent, Give Cruise a Pass
German military officials are backing off from their earlier remarks that filmmakers would be barred from shooting scenes at military locations for the forthcoming Valkyrie, about the World War II "generals' plot" to assassinate Hitler, because the star, Tom Cruise, is a Scientologist. Producers had indicated that they wanted to shoot several scenes at the Bedlerblock memorial in Berlin where Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, played by Cruise in the film, plotted the assassination. The German Defense Ministry said Thursday that while it shares part of the building with the memorial tenants, the location is actually run by the Finance Ministry and it would be up to them to decide whether to issue a filming permit.
2 July 2007
Cruise Presses Ahead with Film Plans
Tom Cruise's latest movie will go ahead, despite attempts to ban filming on German military sites because of his controversial beliefs. The celebrity Scientologist is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites was denied last week by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. Despite the opposition, producers of the Cruise movie claim relevant permits needed to film in the country have now been obtained. Carl Woebken, head of Berlin's Babelsberg studios, says, "They have given us permission like they have done for other Stauffenberg films before. From our point of view, everything is ready to go." The locations include the so-called Bendlerblock where Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators were shot after the attempt to kill Hitler failed. The Bendlerblock is located in what is the now the Defense Ministry complex in Berlin. However, part of it is run by the German Resistance Memorial Centre and not the ministry, and Babelsberg Studios says it can shoot there.
3 July 2007
German Ministry Denies "Crucial" Filming Location for Cruise Film
Germany's Finance Ministry has banned Tom Cruise from filming his forthcoming movie at the Bendlerblock memorial site, despite pleas from the studio the location is "crucial" to the film. Cruise is playing World War II hero Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - who lead an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in new film Valkyrie. Despite the Defense Ministry's claims last month they would not permit Cruise to film at any of the country's military sites, the Finance Ministry - who oversee the properties in question - said the star was welcome to film in Germany - the only exception being Bendlerblock. Bendlerblock is a military building, which includes a memorial to Von Stauffenberg, who was executed at the site in July 1944. The Defense Ministry announced they wouldn't allow Cruise to film Valkyrie on any of its sites, because they objected to his controversial Scientology religion, which is regarded as a money-making cult by German authorities - but the Finance Department denies their decision is related to Cruise's Scientologist beliefs. Spokesman Stefan Olbermann says, "They will not be permitted to film at the Bendlerblock but this has nothing to do with (Scientology). We welcome the fact that such a film is being made. We don't think it would be appropriate to film there." Von Stauffenberg's eldest son Berthold von Stauffenberg has publicly denounced the casting of Cruise, saying, "He should keep his hands off my father."
5 July 2007
Russell Defends Cruise Movie
Veteran British director Ken Russell is the latest moviemaker to leap to the defence of Tom Cruise, insisting Germany's Defense Ministry is wrong to ban filming on military sites because of the actor's controversial Scientology beliefs. Cruise is playing World War II hero Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - who lead an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in new film Valkyrie. However, permission to shoot scenes on genuine army sites was denied last week by the country's Defense Ministry - allegedly because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. On Tuesday German director Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck waded into the debate, urging his government to be more tolerant and reverse the ban - and Russell agrees. Writing in British newspaper The Times he says, "It seems stretching it to make Cruise take the flak for his philosophy of choice while he seeks, with all sincerity and a huge amount of resources, to promote Germany's favorite son. Give the guy a break. Everybody knows Hollywood types are eccentric and daredevil weirdos, don't they? Where's the news in that?"
6 July 2007
Germany Blasts Cruise Flick, Then Gives It $6.5 Million
In an action that appeared politically schizophrenic, the German Federal Film Fund agreed on Thursday to contribute $6.5 million to the funding of Tom Cruise's Valkyrie, just one day after the German Finance Ministry turned down an application by the production company to shoot key scenes of the film at a historic location. In the movie, Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who headed the so-called Generals' Plot to assassinate Hitler during World War II, but some German politicians -- and the son of von Stauffenberg -- have objected to Cruise portraying von Stauffenberg because of the actor's association with Scientology. A spokesperson for the film fund said Thursday that it granted the subsidy because "the criteria for the grant were fulfilled." Production is scheduled to begin in Berlin on July 18.
23 July 2007
German Protestants Condemn Cruise
The German Protestant Church has added its voice to the chorus of German critics who have objected to Tom Cruise portraying a German hero in the forthcoming film Valkyrie, currently being shot in Berlin. Thomas Gandow, chief spokesman on religious cults for the church, charged Sunday that Cruise plans to turn the film into "propaganda for Scientology" and compared it with filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl's documentary about the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "This film will have the same propaganda advantages," he said. Gandow called Scientology, of which Cruise may be its most prominent member, a "totalitarian organization" for which Cruise is its "Goebbels," referring to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi's minister of propaganda.
14 September 2007
Extras Ruled To Have Caused Accident on 'Valkyrie' Set
Extras hurt on Tom Cruise's new movie Valkyrie have been told the production company was not responsible for the accident. Eleven extras were injured when they fell off a driving truck last month. Authorities for occupational health and safety insist no major safety defects were found on the vehicle - contrary to the claims of some extras. An inspection had shown the truck was safe. It is claimed the extras failed to close the truck's side covering properly, causing it to open in transit - absolving the production company of any blame. Filming will now have to be controlled by a safety manager at all times.
9 October 2007
Cruise Film Reshoots Unusable Bendlerblock Footage
Tom Cruise's latest movie Valkyrie has suffered a setback - after finally having a ban on filming inside an important German historical location overturned, the footage shot there has turned out to be unusable. Crucial scenes filmed at the Bendlerblock in Berlin, where a number of German officers were executed after an abortive attempt to assassinate Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in 1944, will now have to be reshot by director Bryan Singer. A spokeswoman for the production company tells German newspaper Bild, "A majority of the film material is unusable. We have to film it again." Colin Ullman, a representative for the firm that delivered the footage shot to a post-production studio in Munich, adds, "The production company told us that there were problems with the negative development in Arri Munich, one of the top post-production companies in Germany. The images were wiped away." Fortunately for Singer and Cruise, the German government has agreed to allow them further access to the Bendlerblock. They had previously been banned from filming at there because officials did not want the "dignity of the place" to be violated. In the movie, Cruise portrays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who was put to death after plotting to blow-up Hitler.
30 November 2007
Cruise Honored in Germany
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise will be honored for his "willingness to take risks in his movies" at an awards ceremony in Germany. The Magnolia star will be awarded the courage prize for pursuing "brave projects" at the 59th annual Bambi Awards in Dusseldorf on Thursday night. The prize committee say Cruise has pursued brave projects that otherwise would not have been made, including his under-fire movie Valkyrie. Last month, Cruise was banned from shooting the movie - about a colonel who led an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in Bendlerblock in Berlin. The decision was later overturned.
26 June 2007
Germany To Limit Cruise Filming -- Because He's a Scientologist
In an ironic act that some commentators said revealed yet another display of German religious intolerance, the German Defense Ministry has barred the producers of a film about the World War II "generals' plot" to assassinate Hitler from using German military sites because it stars Tom Cruise, a Scientologist. Cruise portrays the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. In a statement, Harald Kammerbauer, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said that United Artists, which is producing the film and which is headed by Cruise, "will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult. ... The [Federal Armed Forces have] a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg's person." Cruise's partner, Paula Wagner, issued a statement saying that the movie, titled Valkyrie after the plot's codename, depicts Stauffenberg as a "heroic and principled figure" and will remind "the world that even within the ranks of the German military, there was real resistance to the Nazi regime." She said that Cruise's "personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes or content."
[source]
27 June 2007
Cruise Responds to German Filming Ban
Tom Cruise has vowed Scientology will have no impact on his portrayal of a legendary German assassin, after being banned from filming at the country's military bases because of his controversial beliefs. The actor is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites has been denied by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. However, Cruise is adamant his beliefs have nothing to do with characterization, and is desperate to shoot the movie on location in von Stauffenberg's homeland. His producing partner and United Artists CEO Paula Wagner says, "Aside from his obvious admiration of the man he is portraying, Mr. Cruise's personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes, or content. And even though we could shoot the movie anywhere in the world, we believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice." Von Stauffenberg's briefcase bomb in 1944 only succeeded in wounding Hitler. He was executed by firing squad for the plot the next morning.
[source]
28 June 2007
Controversy Over Cruise Movie Spreads in Germany
Word that Scientologist Tom Cruise will portray the leader of the so-called Generals' Plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II has touched off an ever-growing political firestorm in Germany, according to an Associated Press report from Berlin. Following a decision by the German military to bar the producers of the film, titled Valkyrie, after the code name used by the plotters, from using military bases as locales, a number of German lawmakers have gone on record to denounce the entire project. Social Democratic lawmaker Klaus Uwe Benneter said that having a Scientologist play Col. Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg, who is now regarded as a national hero, represents "a slap in the face to all upstanding democrats, all resistance fighters during the Third Reich, and all victims of the Scientology sect." But a Scientology spokeswoman in Berlin called the response a call to religious discrimination. And in an interview with the AP, Carl Woebcken, head of Babelsberg studio, which is co-producing the movie with United Artists, commented, "This is not a Scientology film, it is a Bryan Singer film, and Bryan Singer is Jewish ... and they want to make this film to show that during the Nazi regime there was heroic resistance. [Tom Cruise] is one of the best, if not the best, actors in the world for heroic roles and that is why Bryan Singer approached him."
[source]
29 June 2007
Germans Relent, Give Cruise a Pass
German military officials are backing off from their earlier remarks that filmmakers would be barred from shooting scenes at military locations for the forthcoming Valkyrie, about the World War II "generals' plot" to assassinate Hitler, because the star, Tom Cruise, is a Scientologist. Producers had indicated that they wanted to shoot several scenes at the Bedlerblock memorial in Berlin where Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, played by Cruise in the film, plotted the assassination. The German Defense Ministry said Thursday that while it shares part of the building with the memorial tenants, the location is actually run by the Finance Ministry and it would be up to them to decide whether to issue a filming permit.
[source]
2 July 2007
Cruise Presses Ahead with Film Plans
Tom Cruise's latest movie will go ahead, despite attempts to ban filming on German military sites because of his controversial beliefs. The celebrity Scientologist is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites was denied last week by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. Despite the opposition, producers of the Cruise movie claim relevant permits needed to film in the country have now been obtained. Carl Woebken, head of Berlin's Babelsberg studios, says, "They have given us permission like they have done for other Stauffenberg films before. From our point of view, everything is ready to go." The locations include the so-called Bendlerblock where Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators were shot after the attempt to kill Hitler failed. The Bendlerblock is located in what is the now the Defense Ministry complex in Berlin. However, part of it is run by the German Resistance Memorial Centre and not the ministry, and Babelsberg Studios says it can shoot there.
[source]
3 July 2007
German Ministry Denies "Crucial" Filming Location for Cruise Film
Germany's Finance Ministry has banned Tom Cruise from filming his forthcoming movie at the Bendlerblock memorial site, despite pleas from the studio the location is "crucial" to the film. Cruise is playing World War II hero Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - who lead an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in new film Valkyrie. Despite the Defense Ministry's claims last month they would not permit Cruise to film at any of the country's military sites, the Finance Ministry - who oversee the properties in question - said the star was welcome to film in Germany - the only exception being Bendlerblock. Bendlerblock is a military building, which includes a memorial to Von Stauffenberg, who was executed at the site in July 1944. The Defense Ministry announced they wouldn't allow Cruise to film Valkyrie on any of its sites, because they objected to his controversial Scientology religion, which is regarded as a money-making cult by German authorities - but the Finance Department denies their decision is related to Cruise's Scientologist beliefs. Spokesman Stefan Olbermann says, "They will not be permitted to film at the Bendlerblock but this has nothing to do with (Scientology). We welcome the fact that such a film is being made. We don't think it would be appropriate to film there." Von Stauffenberg's eldest son Berthold von Stauffenberg has publicly denounced the casting of Cruise, saying, "He should keep his hands off my father."
[source]
5 July 2007
Russell Defends Cruise Movie
Veteran British director Ken Russell is the latest moviemaker to leap to the defence of Tom Cruise, insisting Germany's Defense Ministry is wrong to ban filming on military sites because of the actor's controversial Scientology beliefs. Cruise is playing World War II hero Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - who lead an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in new film Valkyrie. However, permission to shoot scenes on genuine army sites was denied last week by the country's Defense Ministry - allegedly because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. On Tuesday German director Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck waded into the debate, urging his government to be more tolerant and reverse the ban - and Russell agrees. Writing in British newspaper The Times he says, "It seems stretching it to make Cruise take the flak for his philosophy of choice while he seeks, with all sincerity and a huge amount of resources, to promote Germany's favorite son. Give the guy a break. Everybody knows Hollywood types are eccentric and daredevil weirdos, don't they? Where's the news in that?"
[source]
6 July 2007
Germany Blasts Cruise Flick, Then Gives It $6.5 Million
In an action that appeared politically schizophrenic, the German Federal Film Fund agreed on Thursday to contribute $6.5 million to the funding of Tom Cruise's Valkyrie, just one day after the German Finance Ministry turned down an application by the production company to shoot key scenes of the film at a historic location. In the movie, Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who headed the so-called Generals' Plot to assassinate Hitler during World War II, but some German politicians -- and the son of von Stauffenberg -- have objected to Cruise portraying von Stauffenberg because of the actor's association with Scientology. A spokesperson for the film fund said Thursday that it granted the subsidy because "the criteria for the grant were fulfilled." Production is scheduled to begin in Berlin on July 18.
[source]
23 July 2007
German Protestants Condemn Cruise
The German Protestant Church has added its voice to the chorus of German critics who have objected to Tom Cruise portraying a German hero in the forthcoming film Valkyrie, currently being shot in Berlin. Thomas Gandow, chief spokesman on religious cults for the church, charged Sunday that Cruise plans to turn the film into "propaganda for Scientology" and compared it with filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl's documentary about the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "This film will have the same propaganda advantages," he said. Gandow called Scientology, of which Cruise may be its most prominent member, a "totalitarian organization" for which Cruise is its "Goebbels," referring to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi's minister of propaganda.
[source]
14 September 2007
Extras Ruled To Have Caused Accident on 'Valkyrie' Set
Extras hurt on Tom Cruise's new movie Valkyrie have been told the production company was not responsible for the accident. Eleven extras were injured when they fell off a driving truck last month. Authorities for occupational health and safety insist no major safety defects were found on the vehicle - contrary to the claims of some extras. An inspection had shown the truck was safe. It is claimed the extras failed to close the truck's side covering properly, causing it to open in transit - absolving the production company of any blame. Filming will now have to be controlled by a safety manager at all times.
[source]
9 October 2007
Cruise Film Reshoots Unusable Bendlerblock Footage
Tom Cruise's latest movie Valkyrie has suffered a setback - after finally having a ban on filming inside an important German historical location overturned, the footage shot there has turned out to be unusable. Crucial scenes filmed at the Bendlerblock in Berlin, where a number of German officers were executed after an abortive attempt to assassinate Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in 1944, will now have to be reshot by director Bryan Singer. A spokeswoman for the production company tells German newspaper Bild, "A majority of the film material is unusable. We have to film it again." Colin Ullman, a representative for the firm that delivered the footage shot to a post-production studio in Munich, adds, "The production company told us that there were problems with the negative development in Arri Munich, one of the top post-production companies in Germany. The images were wiped away." Fortunately for Singer and Cruise, the German government has agreed to allow them further access to the Bendlerblock. They had previously been banned from filming at there because officials did not want the "dignity of the place" to be violated. In the movie, Cruise portrays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who was put to death after plotting to blow-up Hitler.
[source]
30 November 2007
Cruise Honored in Germany
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise will be honored for his "willingness to take risks in his movies" at an awards ceremony in Germany. The Magnolia star will be awarded the courage prize for pursuing "brave projects" at the 59th annual Bambi Awards in Dusseldorf on Thursday night. The prize committee say Cruise has pursued brave projects that otherwise would not have been made, including his under-fire movie Valkyrie. Last month, Cruise was banned from shooting the movie - about a colonel who led an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in Bendlerblock in Berlin. The decision was later overturned.
[source]
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