'The Lives of Others' wins best foreign film Oscar

Lead actor Muehe grew up and worked in East Germany. Not only did the Stasi keep a file on him but he was able to bring valuable knowledge about the drama community behind the Iron Curtain to the project.

And in a case of art and life intersecting, Muehe has repeatedly accused his former wife, Jenny Groellmann, of spying for the Stasi.

Groellmann was one of the most successful actresses in East Germany, and she bitterly contested her ex-husband's claims right up to her death last year from cancer.

Their battle received widespread media attention while the film was showing in theaters. Groellmann eventually won a court order forbidding Muehe from calling her a spy.

Meanwhile, the apartment where The Lives of Others was shot has become part of the itinerary of a guided tour of famous film locations in Berlin.

Germany has made a strong showing in Oscar nominations in recent years, with the Nazi-era dramas Downfall and Sophie Scholl -- The Final Days in the running for the best foreign-language film in 2005 and 2006.

The country's last win in the category was in 2003, with Nowhere In Africa.