Mourning for Michel Bergmann: Popular author and director dies

Mourning for Michel Bergmann: Popular author and director dies

There is sad news to report in the German cultural sector: Michel Bergmann, a versatile author, journalist, director and producer, died on June 15, 2025 in Berlin at the age of 80. According to Diogenes Verlag, he died after a short, serious illness, which caused great sadness among his fans and colleagues. The Jüdische Allgemeine also reported on his death, quoting the family and emphasizing the loss of the remarkable artist.

Bergmann was born on January 6, 1945 in Riehen near Basel, the child of Jewish refugees. His mother came from Germany while his father came from Poland. After an eventful life that took him first to Paris and later to Frankfurt, he dedicated himself to journalism and received training at the Frankfurter Rundschau. Over the years he achieved a high reputation as a freelance journalist.

Literary heritage

As a writer, Bergmann was extremely productive and versatile. In 2010 he began his novel trilogy “The Teilachers”, which deals with the history of Frankfurt's Jews after the Second World War. The far-reaching impact of his work was particularly evident in the film adaptation of his first part entitled “Once upon a time in Germany…” in 2017, which premiered at the Berlinale and received international recognition. He was also able to attract attention with his short novel “Weinheber’s Suitcase,” which deals with the creation of the State of Israel.

Another highlight in Bergmann's work was his first crime novel "The Rabbi and the Inspector - You Shall Not Murder", which was published in 2021 and formed the basis for a series. Two more volumes followed, and his current novel “Towards Evening” will be published in autumn 2025.

Film contributions and recognitions

Bergmann also left an impressive mark in the film industry. He was involved in numerous productions, including well-known titles such as “Hello Uncle Doc” and “Polizeiruf 110”. His extensive talent was recognized with the Hessian Screenplay Prize in 2016, an award that underlined the importance of his work in the field of screenwriting.

Michel Bergmann's legacy will remain alive in Germany's cultural landscape. The multitude of his works and the topics he dealt with will continue to inspire and stimulate future generations to think. His death is a great loss to the culture, and the memories of his voice and unique style will always live on in the hearts of his readers and viewers.

For more information about Michel Bergmann, take a look at the reports from hessenschau.de, juedische- Allgemeine.de and further details Wikipedia.