Daniel Brühl is stepping back into the director’s chair for Break, a biopic starring Felix Kammerer as the German tennis champion Gottfried von Cramm. The film will explore von Cramm’s ascent to fame in the 1930s, navigating the perilous landscape of Nazi Germany as a pinnacle of his sporting achievements.
The production reunites the team behind All Quiet On The Western Front, which received nine Academy Award nominations in 2023 and clinched four wins, including Best International Feature Film.
London and LA-based The Ink Factory (known for works like The Pigeon Tunnel and The Night Manager) along with Marc Platt Productions (La La Land, Cruella) are joining forces for this project. Marc Platt, alongside amsusement Park’s Malte Grunert, Oscar-winning director Edward Berger at Nine Hours, will oversee the development.
The narrative follows von Cramm’s compelling career from 1933 to 1945, intertwined with political strife, personal trials, and an intense love triangle—all leading up to his life-altering participation in the 1937 Davis Cup.
The film adaptation is rooted in Marshall Jon Fisher’s 2009 book A Terrible Splendor: Three Extraordinary Men, a World Poised for War, and the Greatest Tennis Match Ever Played. Produced by Hossein Amini, this story will be captured through both German and English dialogues.
Simon and Stephen Cornwell, from The Ink Factory, remarked,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.
This venture marks Daniel Brühl’s second feature directorial attempt after his 2021 drama Next Door. He recently co-starred with Kammerer in All Quiet On The Western Front, also contributing as an executive producer. Their collaborative paths continued on set for Ron Howard’s upcoming project Eden.
Break comes on the heels of Brühl’s portrayal as fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld in Disney+ series Becoming Karl Lagerfeld. Reflecting on his new role, he articulated,
The extraordinary story of Gottfried von Cramm is one that demands to be told… I’m thrilled to be embarking on this cinematic journey with my friends Felix Kammerer and Malte Grunert.
Malte Grunert, long-time collaborator and MD at Amusement Park emphasized,
The story of Gottfried von Cramm is one of personal heroism displayed with unassuming elegance. At a time when freedom and liberty are under threat from rising nationalism and far-right politics, it feels as timely as ever.
The production also involves Edward Berger and shares its roots with
All Quiet On The Western Front. Sales will be managed domestically by Fifth Season, with executive producers Joe Tsai and Arthur Wang from 127 Wall Productions steering strategic decisions.
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