Uli Edel, Bernd Eichinger re-team on film

'Baader Meinhof' duo to adapt Lenz novel

By ED MEZA

Uli Edel, director of the Oscar-nominated "The Baader Meinhof Complex," is re-teaming with writer-producer Bernd Eichinger to helm "Schweigeminute" (A Minute of Silence).

An adaptation of Siefried Lenz's bestselling novel, pic, set during the 1950s on Germany's scenic Baltic coast, tells the bittersweet story of a summer love affair between a high school English teacher and one of her students.

Eichinger called Edel the ideal director to for the project. "Uli comes from drama. He's not just an action director. He's a very sensitive guy and the story is an intense, personal and tender love story. We've both been greatly influenced by Italian neo-realism -- heavy drama between boy and girl, and this film is heavy drama between boy and girl."

"A Minute of Silence" is a stark departure from Eichinger's more brooding recent productions such as "Downfall," "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" and last year's "Bader Meinhof," but he points out that the story is not exactly a simple romance: "It's also rough and intense."

Eichinger, who's currently penning the adaptation, hopes to start production on the film this summer on location in northern Germany.

With its setting along the country's sweeping coastline and picturesque seaside villages, the filmmakers are eager to shoot the film in wide-screen in order to best capture "the nature, the stormy skies, the sea, the drama," said Eichinger.

Published this year, Lenz's book remained on Germany's top 10 bestseller lists for months.

Eichinger is producing via Constantin Film for a 2010 release. The pic has yet to be cast.