Emmerich began his career in his native Germany. As a youth he pursued painting and sculpting. While enrolled in the director's program at film school in Munich, his student film, "The Ark Principle", went on to open the 1984 Berlin Film Festival. The feature became a huge success and was sold to more than 20 countries.


His movie Das Arche Noah Prinzip (1984) has been the most high budgeted film-school examination film (DEM 1,000,000) in Germany (1984). Brother of Ute Emmerich President of jury at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2005 Turned down the offer to direct Die Another Day (2002). Attended the School of Television and Film in Munich from 1977 to 1981. Supported Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 electoral campaign. Donated $150,000 to the Outfest's Legacy Project, which is dedicated to the gay and lesbian film preservation, the largest gift in the festival's history (2006).