Wolfgang Becker

Wolfgang Becker (; 22 June 1954 – 12 December 2024) was a German film director and screenwriter, best known to international audiences for his work Good Bye, Lenin!. He was a co-founder of the production company X Filme Creative Pool, which produced his first successful feature film, Das Leben ist eine Baustelle, in 1997.

Early life and education Wolfgang Becker was born on 22 June 1954 in Hemer, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. He studied German, History and American Studies at the Free University in Berlin. He made his second feature Kinderspiele (Child's Play) in 1992.

In 1994, Becker co-founded the production company X Filme Creative Pool with Tom Tykwer, Stefan Arndt, and Dani Levy.

Becker's biggest success was the 2003 film Good Bye, Lenin!, with over 6 million viewers. The short film Ballero was produced for the 2006 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony and broadcast worldwide on television.

Becker completed his final film, Der Held vom Bahnhof Friedrichstraße, in October 2024, shortly before his death; it was released in December 2025.

Personal life Becker was married and had a daughter.

Filmography

Awards 1997 Berlin International Film Festival, Honourable Mention for Das Leben ist eine Baustelle 1998 Bavarian Film Awards, Best Production, for Das Leben ist eine Baustelle 2003 Berlin International Film Festival, Blue Angel for Good Bye Lenin! 2003 European Film Awards, Audience Award for Best Director for Good Bye Lenin! 2004 César Awards, Best European Union Film for Good Bye Lenin!