Lived in East Germany until early 1950s

Moved to West Germany

Met Bertolt Brecht at age 16 and secured permission to film rehearsals of Berliner Ensemble (resulting 8mm sound film later blown up to 35mm and relased in 1970 as "After My Last Move")

Ran away to West Germany at age 17

Made nearly 200 documentary shorts for Bavarian TV

Filmed five feature-length "character portraits"; subjects included actor-director Fritz Kortner (1965) and actress Romy Schneider

Formed production company

Directed first feature film, "Scarabea"