According to an Italian-language article translated by a Gawker tipster, Tom Cruise’s list of requirements for interviews includes a positive take on his film Valkyrie and an understanding that Scientology is not banned in Germany. The article also states that Cruise is moving to New York to be with his wife, Kate Holmes, now that her play has wrapped. At least two American tabloids say that “Kate” is moving back to LA, so it’s hard to tell what’s true.

This list of requirements is consistent with an earlier story that Cruise invited critics over to his place to screen Valykyrie in exchange for a positive review.

Like many celebrities, Tom Cruise tries to control journalists. He hates talking about his heavy involvement Scientology, for example. But who knew he’d try to force his interviewers to like Valkyrie?

Italian publication LeiWeb opened its interview with Cruise by describing all the restrictions imposed by the movie star’s publicists. According to both a tipster and Google’s translation of the article, the requirements to interview Tom Cruise were as follows, at least for LeiWeb:

Must have seen Valkyrie.
Must have liked Valkryie.
Must read a letter about how Scientology has never been banned in Germany. Even though, uh, Tom Cruise hates talking about Scientology…

According to Italian Claudia, it is in fact written that Cruise is moving to New York. Of course, it’s still up in the air whether the interviewer understood correctly.

[From Gawker]

It’s correct that Scientology was never officially “banned” in Germany. It exists in Germany, but it doesn’t have tax free status as a religion and is under surveillance by the German government for suspicion of their equivalent to racketeering. I’ve seen documentaries on German television detailing the tactics of Scientology including interviews with former high ranking members. It’s well known in Germany that Scientology is an organization that is incredibly suspect. So while Scientology does exist in Germany and you get those wide-eyed people trying to recruit with stress tests, it’s at least monitored by the government and the media is outspoken against it.

Good luck, Tom Cruise, converting anyone in Germany with your unique brand of media “love bombing.” You may have received a Bambi but the Germans aren’t about to suspend disbelief to accept Scientology as a legitimate religion.

Tom Cruise is going to appear tonight in Berlin for the German premiere of Valkyrie. We have an active contingent of Anonymous in Berlin too, and I’m hoping some people in Guy Fawkes masks show up to crash the party.

Tom Cruise is shown doing an interview in Berlin on 1/19/09. Credit: WENN