Marvin Kren
Biography
Marvin Kren (born 1980 in Vienna, Austria) is a highly acclaimed Austrian film director, known for his distinctive style and his ability to traverse various genres, particularly horror, crime, and suspense. He has established a strong reputation in both film and television, earning numerous awards for his compelling and often gritty narratives.
Early Career and Rise in Horror
Kren's directing career kicked off in 2010 with his debut feature film, Rammbock: Berlin Undead (also known as Siege of the Dead), a highly acclaimed zombie movie that regularly features in top ten lists of zombie films. This early success solidified his reputation as a director with a keen eye for horror. His second feature film, Blood Glacier (2013, also known as The Station), continued in the suspenseful vein, exploring terrifying new lifeforms caused by global warming. This film premiered at TIFF Midnight Madness, further cementing his status in the genre. He also contributed a segment ("R is for Roulette") to the horror anthology ABCs of Death 2 (2014).
Transition to Television and Award-Winning Crime Drama
Kren's talent for creating suspense and intricate plots soon caught the attention of the television world. He directed episodes of Germany's cult TV crime show Tatort (2014-2015) and the television film Berlin One (2015), which won him a Romy Award for Best TV Direction.
His most significant television success came with the critically acclaimed series 4 Blocks (2017-2019). Kren served as director and writer for multiple episodes of the show, which revolves around the troubled leader of a criminal gang navigating a multi-cultural underworld in Berlin. 4 Blocks brought him widespread recognition, earning him a Grimme Award and a German Television Award for Best Director.
Exploring Psychological Thrillers and New Genres
Kren continued to explore complex psychological narratives with the Netflix and ORF co-production Freud (2020). As director and co-writer, he reimagined a young Sigmund Freud as a crime-solving, coke-addled detective in late 19th-century Vienna, delving into the darkest corners of the human mind. The series garnered a Gold World Medal for Entertainment Program - Crime Drama and a Silver World Medal for Best Direction at the New York Film and TV Festival.
More recently, Kren turned his hand to comedy as author and director of The White Goblin (2022), which won a Romy for Best TV Film. He also directed and co-wrote the Netflix series Crooks (2024), which was a very expensive series to make and shows his continued interest in the forbidden world of criminals.
Directing Style and Themes
Marvin Kren is known for his ability to craft suspenseful and atmospheric narratives. He often explores dark and forbidden worlds, whether they involve zombies, environmental threats, or the intricate lives of criminals. He is meticulous in his casting choices, emphasizing the need to truly understand and trust his actors. Kren has stated his fascination with the lives of "crooks and criminals," viewing them as people who do forbidden things, which does not imply glorification but a deep interest in their life stories. He also watches films and series daily, sometimes without sound, to analyze rhythm and hone his craft.
Awards and Recognition
Marvin Kren has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including:
- Grimme Award (2018) for 4 Blocks
- German Television Award for Best Directing (2018) for 4 Blocks
- Romy Award for Best TV Direction (2016) for Berlin One
- Romy Award for Best TV Producer (2020) for Freud
- Romy Award for Best TV Film (2022) for The White Goblin
- Max Ophüls Festival Award for Best Short Film (2009) for Schautag
- Vienna Film Award for Best Feature (2010) for Rammbock: Berlin Undead
- New York Film and TV Festival Gold and Silver World Medals (2021) for Freud
- Bavarian TV Award for Producing (2024) for Crooks
Marvin Kren continues to be a dynamic force in European cinema and television, constantly pushing boundaries and delivering compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
