• Lead actors are Tijan Njie as Robert Pilatus and Elan Ben Ali as Fabrice Morvan
• Matthias Schweighöfer stars as Milli Vanilli producer Frank Farian
• Writer and director is multi award-winning filmmaker Simon Verhoeven
• Produced by Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann, producers of the Academy Award^® winning feature film THE LIVES OF OTHERS, the two-time Academy Award^® nominated NEVER LOOK AWAY, and the groundbreaking Netflix Original Series DARK

LOS ANGELES, US – Newsaktuell – 1 September 2022 – European major LEONINE Studios reveals first look on its international biopic GIRL YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE, produced by Wiedemann & Berg Film.

After a year of intense casting in five countries, newcomers Tijan Njie from Germany and Elan Ben Ali from France are set to portray the lead roles of the Milli Vanilli frontmen Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, the top-charting pop and R&B duo. Matthias Schweighöfer (Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”, “Heart of Stone”, “Army of the Dead”) is starring as German music producer Frank Farian. The cast also includes Graham Rogers (“Ray Donovan”, “The Kominsky Method”, “Atypical”) as Milli Vanilli’s US assistant Todd and Bella Dayne (“Humans”, “Troy – Fall of a City”) as Milli, Farian’s right-hand.

The film is centered around the true story of the notorious scandal involving dancers Robert Pilatus’ and Fabrice Morvan’s rise to fame in the late 1980s as pop sensation Milli Vanilli. Orchestrated by music producer Frank Farian, they became global stars with three No. 1 hits in the US. But only a small circle of insiders know that the duo is not singing but lip syncing to the voices of two other artists. At the height of their fame, Milli Vanilli win the Grammy Award but the situation behind the scenes escalates and the pressure on Rob and Fab grows. When the truth is revealed, they stare into the abyss while the world witnesses one of the biggest scandals in music history.

Multi award-winning filmmaker Simon Verhoeven is directing, based on his original screenplay GIRL YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE. Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann, producers of the Academy Award^® winning film THE LIVES OF OTHERS, the two-time Academy Award^® nominated film NEVER LOOK AWAY and the groundbreaking Netflix Original Series DARK are producing. Producer Kirstin Winkler (“2012”, “10,000 BC”, “Anonymous”) is overseeing production.

Principal photography takes place in Munich and Berlin (Germany), Capetown (South Africa) and Los Angeles (USA). Filming will wrap in December 2022. The film follows a true language approach and is shot almost entirely in English. The title echoes Milli Vanilli‘s 1989 break-out hit GIRL YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE, originally written by the US Hip-Hop group Numarx and later covered by successful music producer Frank Farian.

Kevin Liles, member of Numarx, legendary co-founder and CEO of music company 300 Entertainment is executive producing alongside co-producers Simon Verhoeven, Frank Farian and Stefan Gärtner. Associate producers are Jasmin Davis, daughter of the late John Davis, and Brad Howell, who were the true voices of Milli Vanilli and invaluable consultants in the development phase. Carmen Pilatus, sister of the late Rob Pilatus, Milli Vanilli’s former assistant Todd Headlee, and Ingrid Segieth aka Milli, Frank Farian’s right-hand, are also attached as associate producers.

Writer and director Simon Verhoeven says: “GIRL YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE is captivating on so many levels. It not only tells the spectacular rise of two underdogs making it to the zenith of showbiz within one summer, it also gives a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of that illusory world of fame and its sometimes tragic and unscrupulous machinations. Personally, I think Rob and Fab did not deserve to become the sole scapegoats of this scandal.”

Quirin Berg, Chief Creative Officer and Chief Production Officer of LEONINE Studios: “GIRL YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE comes from the heart of a decade when MTV planted its flag on the moon and we were able to see music, not just listen to it. Our film celebrates Rob and Fab and what they achieved with Milli Vanilli and at the same time Simon’s fantastic screenplay also captures the complexity and ultimately tragic dimension that came with it. He offers not just an immensely entertaining take on the story but also a layer of critical reflection that asks many questions which seem more relevant today than ever. It took many years to secure the music rights and it’s a huge milestone to see this project in production now.”

The film is produced by LEONINE Studios and Wiedemann & Berg Film, in co-production with Sentana Film, SevenPictures and Mediawan. The production is financially supported by German Federal Film Fund (DFFF), FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, German Federal Film Board (FFA), Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MFG Baden-Württemberg and Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Digitales. All rights are with LEONINE Studios.

Independently from LEONINE Studios’ feature film, US entertainment company MRC is producing a documentary on Milli Vanilli, directed by Luke Korem. Korem also serves as a producer via his Keep on Running Pictures. Bradley Jackson and Fulwell 73 also produce. Hanif Abdurraqib will executive produce. Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann, Simon Verhoeven and Kirstin Winkler are serving as associate producers on this documentary project as well.

– Pictures are available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) –

Hashtag: #LEONINEStudios

• Fourth consecutive win and the sixth time in the past seven years to top the Asia list for workplace culture
• In 2021, DHL Express Asia Pacific received 37 different awards for its workplace and corporate culture, bringing the total number to 325 awards since 2014

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 1 September 2022 – DHL Express has defended its number one position on the Best Workplaces in Asia™ list, published annually by the Great Place to Work® Institute. It acknowledges the international express service provider’s strong company culture of fairness and camaraderie, underpinned by its values of “Respect and Results”.

“This achievement is a remarkable and important recognition of everyone’s steadfast effort to build a cohesive and inclusive team, even through tough times. Our “As One” spirit is stronger than ever, and I am privileged to work alongside such a passionate team that always gives their all every day. Obtaining four consecutive wins is not easy, but we will not rest on our laurels. With a people strategy, our employees are key assets. We will continue to invest in our people, and create a great workplace not just for a few, but for all,” said Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific.

“It is truly an honor to be named the best workplace in Asia once again. We would like to take the opportunity to celebrate our people, as we couldn’t have done it without the support from them. Our employees make a conscious effort every day to be inclusive and motivated. Employees today are showing a preference for companies that demonstrate commitment to creating a positive workplace culture. It is therefore important for companies to promote inclusion and equal opportunities to retain and attract talents,” said Mateen Thiruselvaam, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, DHL Express Asia Pacific.

An engaged and inclusive workforce

To ensure employees remain motivated, DHL Express provides equal learning and development opportunities to keep employee satisfaction high. Its “Shift Up a Gear” program, aims to provide female employees with guidance, networking and career development opportunities. Through the program, female workers can connect with senior internal and external leaders to gain different perspectives on career paths or be mentored.

DHL Express also regularly organizes the Certified International Specialist and Certified International Manager training programs, where employees learn about company products and services and what is necessary to deliver excellent service. By the end of 2021, employees across the region underwent over 370,000 CIS and CIM modules.

Employees united by a single platform and purpose

As a global organization with 120,000 employees across more than 220 countries and territories, DHL Express is focused on enhancing employee engagement. Its social intranet, Smart Connect, is a mobile and online platform where employees gain access to various services and content, such as company and HR resources, news, campaigns and engagement programs. Employees also bond through the platform’s social walls, where they can post updates and leave comments.

Additionally, employees are guided and united by a common purpose, “Connecting people, improving lives”, which creates long-term value and gives people a sense of belonging. Employees are given opportunities to volunteer for initiatives they care about, such as climate protection. For example, over 100,000 employees worldwide are participating in a series of marathons to raise funds for Conservation International and plant 100,000 trees.

Since 2014, DHL Express Asia Pacific has received 325 awards for its workplace and corporate culture, and in 2021 alone, the company received a total of 37 awards.

Hashtag: #DHL

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81 billion euros in 2021. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.