Roland Emmerich

ROLAND EMMERICH began his career in his native Germany. He studied film at the Munich's Film School and his student project The Noah's Ark Principle went on to be shown in competition at the 1984 Berlin Film Festival. The debut feature was sold in more than 20 countries around the world and earned the director his initial credit.

Subsequently, he established his own production company, Centropolis Film Productions and under its banner has both produced and directed a number of projects.

In 1992 his film-making platform moved to the States with the hits such as Universal Soldier, Stargate, and Godzilla and Emmerich made box office history in 1996 with Independence Day, which grossed over $800,000,000 worldwide. A few years later he directed and executive produced The Patriot, which starred Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger, and the box office smash hits The Day After Tomorrow with Jake Gyllenhaal and co-wrote, directed, and executive produced 2012 with John Cusack and Thandie Newton.

Among his producing credits is Trade. Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner the gripping drama portrayed the trauma of human trafficking across the Mexican border into the US.

© 2011 Columbia Pictures