![Doris Dörrie marks her 70th birthday on the 26th of May. [Archive photograph] Picture provided.](/en/img/20250529123335_image-description-sunset-beach-landscape.jpeg)
Renowned Director Doris Dörrie Embraces a Nomadic Lifestyle on the Cusp of Her 70th Birthday
Travel and life's journey: Doris Dörrie marks seven decades of existence - Upcoming Event Highlighted:
Doris Dörrie, a renowned German film director and author, celebrates her 70th birthday today (May 26th) with a preference for adventure over comfort. Known for her globetrotting spirit, Dörrie finds her sanctuary less in physical spaces and more in her family, friends, and fellow human beings.
"Home is where my loved ones are, as long as I'm free to move around," Dörrie shared with the German Press Agency in Munich. She attributes her zest for life to her mobility, a trait that has taken her across borders to Japan, the USA, and numerous other destinations.
In an autobiographical account, Dörrie recounts her residences in her recently published book "Living." From her childhood bedroom in Hanover to various apartments in cities like California and New York, and the idyllic farmhouse in Upper Bavaria, the native Hanoverian has never been content with settling in one place.
Dörrie's love for travel dates back to her student days, when she ventured to California and New York to study theater sciences and film. Her further education began at the Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film (HFF) in Munich in 1975.
Throughout her career, Dörrie has created works abroad, notably in Japan. "Cherry Blossoms - Hanami," a touching drama that garnered numerous awards, is one such creation. Similarly, "Greetings from Fukushima," which deals with loss, grief, and hope following the 2011 tsunami disaster, was heavily influenced by her Japanese experiences.
Living among strangers has inevitably presented moments of solitude for Dörrie. In Los Angeles, she found herself touring grand, often monstrous and visually unappealing mansions disguised as architectural replicas, while in German winters, she sought connection in department stores, trying on clothes until she developed muscle cramps just to be among people.
However, the digital age has also brought about a unique form of isolation. "Despite our digital connectivity, we are increasingly secluded within our own homes," Dörrie observed. "We can order food, communicate with people online, and scarcely ever leave our houses."
For Dörrie, human interaction is essential, not just for personal fulfillment but for the very fabric of democracy itself. "Negotiating compromises in physical spaces is fundamentally different from typing out positions and backing out as soon as resistance arises," she cautioned. "The ability to engage in sustained dialogue over time is crucial for democracy, a skill that must be practiced and preserved."
On June 5th, Dörrie's followers will gather at the Munich Literature House, to celebrate her milestone birthday. The event, organized by Diogenes Verlag, will feature publisher Philipp Keel and actress Ulrike Kriener, who starred in Dörrie's breakthrough comedy "Men" 40 years ago. Dörrie, in turn, expresses a simple yet profound wish: "I wish for peace for everyone, every day. Peace would be beautiful."
On the occasion of Doris Dörrie's published book "Living", readers might find interest in recommendations for books that delve into the lives of celebrities, offering insights into their unique experiences with travel, entertainment, and human interaction. Meanwhile, as the Commission considers proposals for the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, one might ponder the potential risks associated with extended periods of digital connectivity and the subsequent isolation from physical human interactions, a concern that Dörrie herself has raised.
