Jun
27

Tom Cruise Responds To Filming Ban By The German Defense Ministry

Tom Cruise has responded to the German Defense Ministry after they banned the actor from shooting his new movie, “Valkyrie,” on military bases where part of the plot takes place. On Monday, Defense Ministry spokesperson Harald Kammerbauer said the movie star would not be given permission to shoot at the German sites because of his involvement with Scientology.

German Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung had also noted that Cruise would take away from an “authentic portrayal” of the incidents that occurred during Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s failed assassination bombing plot against Adolf Hitler in World War II.

However, Cruise, who has been a Scientology member for years, says his performance as Stauffenberg will not be affected by his religious beliefs.

Paula Wagner, the actor’s producing partner and United Artists CEO, is quoted as saying by StarPulse, “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.”

“Valkyrie” is still scheduled to begin filming next month. (AllHeadlineNews.com, June 26, 2007)

Cruise responds to German filming ban
Latest: 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 (07). 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 Defence 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 characterisation, 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. (ContactMusic.com

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June 27, 2007   //   Movie News and Valkyrie   //   4 Comments   //  

4 Comments to “Tom Cruise Responds To Filming Ban By The German Defense Ministry”

• June 27, 2007 at 5:53 pm
  Colleen Hippler says:

  Good for Tom. This whole thing is about someone trying get some press time. Tom wants to shoot a movie about someone he truly admired. Does that not count with these German idiots!!!!! I am so angry I had better stop this comment right now before I start swearing!!!!!
• June 27, 2007 at 6:37 pm
  gisela says:

  This is totally ridiculous. What have Tom’s believes to do with his fabulous acting talent. I am born German and I it hurts me how my home country behaves on this issue. OMG, let him do the movie, it’s part of history.
• June 27, 2007 at 8:46 pm
  Angela says:

  German government says what?! lmao
• June 28, 2007 at 2:08 pm
  TL says:

  this is not correct!

  ‘Valkyrie’ not banned says Ministry
  WWII thriller welcomed by German film industry

  Despite calls by some German officials to ban Bryan Singer’s World War II drama “Valkyrie” from shooting at government locations – due to Tom Cruise’s ties to Scientology – the project is getting plenty of support from the local film industry and looks likely to get the greenlight from authorities to film at historical sites here.
  In the film, penned by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, Cruise is set to play German officer Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg, a national hero who was executed in 1944 for attempting to assassinate Adolf Hitler in a plot codenamed Valkyrie.The courtyard in which Stauffenberg and his fellow conspirators were shot is now a memorial, but the building in which it’s located, the Bendlerblock, also houses part of the German Ministry of Defense.

  That, and not Cruise’s affiliation to Scientology, poses the main hurdle to a film permit for Singer and his crew, according to Dirk Kuehnau, head of the Bundesanstalt fuer Immobilienaufgaben (BIMA), the company in charge of government buildings.

  “In this country we have constitutionally guaranteed rights,” Kuehnau said. “Articles four and five of the constitution protect freedom of faith and creed and freedom of expression. I don’t think those rights would be denied a film actor.”

  If anything, it would be the lights and cables and camera teams that could disrupt work at the Defense Ministry, Kuehnau said, adding that if an arrangement is found where filming does not interfere with government business, a filming permit should be no problem.

  Contrary to earlier press reports, the Defense Minister has not banned the project from shooting at the site. In fact, the Defense Ministry, which only leases the building, does not have the right to grant or reject filming permits – that duty lies with the BIMA.

  Recent reports of government opposition to the film were triggered by Antje Blumenthal, a member of the Bundestag and cult expert for the conservative CDU/CSU party, who said she had been assured by Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung that the film would not be allowed to shoot at the site, due to the alleged danger posed by Scientology.

  For the local industry, however, Singer’s project is more of a godsend.

  Studio Babelsberg toppers Christoph Fisser and Carl Woebcken are in negotiations with Gil Adler and Paula Wagner of United Artists to come aboard the film as coproduction partners.

  Fisser praised the project, saying there are sadly far too few examples of the military opposition to Hitler’s regime during the war. “The assassination attempt against Hitler is hardly known outside Germany. We should therefore be delighted and welcome this wonderful opportunity to improve the image of our country.” http://www.variety.com/article/VR111796781…yid=19&cs=1