Born in 1947, Zischler was just 23 when he landed a role in Wim Wenders' "Summer in the City". In 1975 they worked together again
on "Im Lauf der Zeit". Chantal Ackerman, Rudolf Thome and Robert
van Ackeren are just a few of the renowned directors with whom Hanns Zischler worked during the eighties. In 1989 he appeared in Claude Chabrols' "Dr. M", then in 1990 in "Allemagne neuf zero" by
Jean-Luc Godard.

In 1983 he directed Vladimir Majakowski's "Tragödie" at the Schiller-theater Werkstatt, and in 1996 W. S. Landor's "Dialogue" at the Probebühne/Berliner Schaubühne.

Recently, Hans Zischler has appeared in "23" by Hans Christian Schmid and in the starring role of Rudolf Thome's award-winning "Paradiso". The latter took the 2000 Silver Bear at the Berlinale.

The European co-production TAKING SIDES, in which he plays the
part of Rudolf Werner, marks the second time he has worked with
István Szabó.