Ralph Marschallek was born in 1953 in Weimar, Thuringia. After the Master in Psychology at University of Jena in 1980, he started to direct some experiemntal short films and documentaries as amateur. From 1981 to 1987 he worked as director's assistent. Since 1987 he is director, produced for DEFA among others. In 1991 founded the indipendent film production company Um Welt Film, a cooperation of former DEFA directors. In 1992 founded the Thuringian Film Foundation, which is the Chairman. Since 1989 has directed 14 documentaries.
