Their next directorial outing was '' Cloud Atlas '' , which was adapted from David Mitchell 's 2004 novel of the same name and starred an ensemble cast which included Tom Hanks and Halle Berry . '' Cloud Atlas '' was written and directed in collaboration with German filmmaker Tom Tykwer to whom the Wachowskis had introduced the novel several years earlier . The filmmakers failed to secure funding from a studio ( save for $ 20 million by Warner Bros. ) and was produced independently after much trouble . With a budget of over $ 100 million it was noted as the most expensive independent movie to that date and the first attempt at a German blockbuster . The movie opened at the 37th annual Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012 to acclaim and received a loud and lengthy standing ovation . In its general release a month later , it received polarizing reviews and eventually appeared in both " Best Film " and " Worst Film " lists . Overall reviews were mixed to positive . The film received many nominations and awards , particularly for its technical aspects , including ten nominations in the German Film Awards out of which it won five and five Saturn Award nominations out of which it won two . David Mitchell liked the script of '' Cloud Atlas '' , spent some time on the set ( including filming a cameo ) and had a positive impression about the end result . According to the Wachowskis the movie was the hardest of their films to make , the one they are the most proud of , and the one they have been told has touched people 's lives the most . They believe '' Cloud Atlas '' will be the film for which they will be remembered
37th annual Toronto International Film Festival
2012 Toronto International Film Festival
The Wachowskis