007 production designer Sir Ken Adam receives Order of Merit

On 4 September 2012, Culture Minister Bernd Neumann presented the production designer Sir Ken Adam with the Cross of the Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande) of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Adam, who was born in Berlin to Jewish parents, moved to Great Britain in 1934.

In his speech Minister Neumann said: "Sir Ken Adam has shaped modern film architecture unlike any other. He has demonstrated to what degree production design can be responsible for the emotional impact of a film. With his immense creative power he has contributed to numerous films which have become part of the history of cinema. In the industry his name is a label for absolute quality. Many creative film artists have been greatly influenced by Adams work, be it through the popular designs for the James Bond films or his collaborations with major international directors such as Stanley Kubrick."

The Minister also thanked Sir Adam for his outstanding commitment to German cinema. In 2003, Adam took over the sponsorship of the newly founded "Talent Campus" of the Berlinale. The German Film Academy has made him an honorary member. Last week Adam handed over his personal artistic archive to the German Cinematheque.

Ken Adam has been awarded the Oscar for Best Art Direction twice.

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