Key Highlights
- Rami Malek and Russell Crowe deliver standout performances in “Nuremberg.”
- The film, set to premiere on November 7, took over 13 years to come together.
- James Vanderbilt credits the ensemble cast for elevating each other’s game.
- Malek portrays U.S. psychiatrist Douglas Kelley assessing Hermann Göring.
The Making of “Nuremberg”: An Ensemble Effort
For filmmaker James Vanderbilt, working with Rami Malek and Russell Crowe on the historical drama Nuremberg was a remarkable experience. Vanderbilt, 49, exclusively told Us Weekly during the American Film Institute Festival premiere of his newest film, held at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, that collaborating with these actors was “incredible.”
Vanderbilt highlighted Malek and Crowe as examples of actors who continually raise their game when they are surrounded by talented peers. The filmmaker mentioned Michael Shannon as well, indicating a group of actors who collectively pushed each other to new heights:
“Rami is just such a class act, and goes so deep. Russell — the same way … Michael Shannon,” Vanderbilt said.
Over 13 Years in the Making
Nuremberg, which tells the story of U.S. psychiatrist Douglas Kelley assessing German Nazi politician Hermann Göring, took over 13 years to come together. Vanderbilt revealed that he wrote the script back in 2010 and believed it was relevant then, even more so now:
“I wrote this 13 years ago, and thought it was relevant then, and it’s relevant now, and certainly relevant in the future,” said Vanderbilt.
The director expressed his gratitude for bringing the film to life, describing it as an independent project that required a significant journey:
“I’m lucky it exists at all. It’s an independent film, a 13-year journey to bring it out, and so I’m just so happy to be here.”
Challenging Roles and Filmmaking
Rami Malek spoke about the depth of his character, Douglas Kelley, in the film. He described Kelley as an “incredibly charming human being” who is ambitious, compulsive, and obsessive:
“What I find about Douglas Kelly’s world is that he’s as interesting as the Nazis themselves,” Malek said.
Malek emphasized how Vanderbilt’s direction contributed to making Nuremberg more than just a courtroom drama. The filmmaker’s vision transformed it into an “enthralling” and engaging film:
“When you galvanize all of these great actors together to tell the story that has this weight and demands us to come with our absolute A-game, it galvanized us as a whole to do our best and honor that time period, honor the story, but also deliver something that’s entertaining and engaging,” Malek explained.
The Importance of Telling Important Stories
Russell Crowe discussed the significance of retelling historical events like those in Nuremberg. He emphasized the importance of making these stories accessible to modern audiences:
“I think these sort of big pieces of history — if we can make stories that are accessible for people to understand the context and the nuance of what was going on at the time, I think it helps where we are now,” Crowe stated.
The actor highlighted how his role as Hermann Göring required a deep dive into understanding the nuances of the character’s actions during World War II. For him, taking such roles is not just about acting but also about the responsibility that comes with portraying historical figures:
“In 2019, I was doing The Loudest Voice and got sent the script.
I read it and agreed to do the movie. But it took five years for us to get onto a film set,” Crowe noted.
Crowe’s comments underscore the dedication required from both actors and filmmakers when bringing such weighty historical narratives to the screen:
