Set in Switzerland in the immediate aftermath of World War Two, Labyrinth Of Peace delves into the murky connections between business, finance and Nazism.
There are three main plot strands that entwine through this six part mini series. The first concerns Johann (Max Hubacher) marrying into the Tobler garment business. He takes over the day to day running of the company from his ailing father in law Alfred Tobler (Urs Bosshardt). His desire to modernise the factory and be a good employer are in conflict with the economic realities of demilitarisation.
The newlywed Klara (Annina Walt) trying to help Jewish orphans makes up the second. She volunteers at a Red Cross facility that houses children rescued from a Nazi death camp. Here she runs into bureaucracy, apathy and antisemitism. Things become complicated by her growing friendship with Herschel (Jan Hrynkiewicz), one of the survivors.
Finally Johann's brother Egon (Dimitri Stapfer) has returned from.
There are three main plot strands that entwine through this six part mini series. The first concerns Johann (Max Hubacher) marrying into the Tobler garment business. He takes over the day to day running of the company from his ailing father in law Alfred Tobler (Urs Bosshardt). His desire to modernise the factory and be a good employer are in conflict with the economic realities of demilitarisation.
The newlywed Klara (Annina Walt) trying to help Jewish orphans makes up the second. She volunteers at a Red Cross facility that houses children rescued from a Nazi death camp. Here she runs into bureaucracy, apathy and antisemitism. Things become complicated by her growing friendship with Herschel (Jan Hrynkiewicz), one of the survivors.
Finally Johann's brother Egon (Dimitri Stapfer) has returned from.
- 4/11/2023
- by Donald Munro
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Crime show “Divided We Stand,” which will premiere in Germany on the public broadcaster Ard on Feb. 22 with the title “Zerv,” screened this week at the European Film Market in the Berlinale Series Market Selects section. World sales are being handled by Beta Film.
The show, based on true events, follows a group of police officers from West Germany who are sent to Berlin to form a special investigations unit, called Zerv, which aims to root out crimes committed in the German Democratic Republic (Gdr) during the Communist era. However, as the officers dig deeper into the crimes in the East they start to find that many of them had originated in the West.
Speaking to Variety, exec producer Gabriela Sperl says the clash of cultures, values and ideologies was not only interesting, but also held the promise of some darkly comic moments as the West Germans try to “teach...
The show, based on true events, follows a group of police officers from West Germany who are sent to Berlin to form a special investigations unit, called Zerv, which aims to root out crimes committed in the German Democratic Republic (Gdr) during the Communist era. However, as the officers dig deeper into the crimes in the East they start to find that many of them had originated in the West.
Speaking to Variety, exec producer Gabriela Sperl says the clash of cultures, values and ideologies was not only interesting, but also held the promise of some darkly comic moments as the West Germans try to “teach...
- 2/15/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Josh Hartnett Starrer ‘The Fear Index,’ ‘False Flag’ S3 to Screen at Berlinale Series Market Selects
“The Fear Index,” starring Josh Hartnett, and the third season of iconic Israeli series “False Flag” will both screen at the Berlinale Series Market Selects, whose lineup was unveiled Tuesday.
The latest from “The Crown” producers Left Bank Pictures, Sky Original “The Fear Index” is billed as a fast-paced, gripping Frankenstein-style parable on the dangers of AI. Based on the Robert Harris novel of the same title, its international sales will be handled by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
Sold by Keshet International, “False Flag” is one of milestone titles that turned Israel’s series into a global brand, with Fox International taking the world on season one at 2015’s Mipcom in its first global acquisition of a foreign-language series.
Season three marks the return of both original series creators, Maria Feldman and Amit Cohen, in a tale which looks set to weave the same web of distrust, deception and sudden twists as the first two seasons.
The latest from “The Crown” producers Left Bank Pictures, Sky Original “The Fear Index” is billed as a fast-paced, gripping Frankenstein-style parable on the dangers of AI. Based on the Robert Harris novel of the same title, its international sales will be handled by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
Sold by Keshet International, “False Flag” is one of milestone titles that turned Israel’s series into a global brand, with Fox International taking the world on season one at 2015’s Mipcom in its first global acquisition of a foreign-language series.
Season three marks the return of both original series creators, Maria Feldman and Amit Cohen, in a tale which looks set to weave the same web of distrust, deception and sudden twists as the first two seasons.
- 1/18/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
While there are many streaming services fighting for your attention, Arrow has the most eclectic collection of horror, sci-fi, exploitation, and cult films, and they're bolstering their collection with new titles every month. Michael Venus' Sleep is a brand new release on Arrow and we have the exclusive trailer reveal that you can watch right now!
"Tormented by recurring nightmares of a place she has never been, Marlene cannot help but investigate when she discovers the place is real. Once there, she suffers a breakdown and is admitted to a psychiatric ward. Determined to discover what happened to her, Mona (Gro Swantje Kohlhof) her daughter, follows and finds herself in Stainbach, an idyllic village with a dark history/secret. What is it that so tormented her mother, and the people of Stainbach? What is the source of the nightmares she suffered? Who is the mysterious Trude that lives in the forest?...
"Tormented by recurring nightmares of a place she has never been, Marlene cannot help but investigate when she discovers the place is real. Once there, she suffers a breakdown and is admitted to a psychiatric ward. Determined to discover what happened to her, Mona (Gro Swantje Kohlhof) her daughter, follows and finds herself in Stainbach, an idyllic village with a dark history/secret. What is it that so tormented her mother, and the people of Stainbach? What is the source of the nightmares she suffered? Who is the mysterious Trude that lives in the forest?...
- 11/2/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The Playmaker Munich, formerly known as Arri Media Intl., has picked up Stefan Jäger’s “Monte Verità,” which world premieres in August in the Piazza Grande section of the Locarno Film Festival. The historical drama, written by Kornelija Naraks and based on true events, focuses on Europe’s first eco-community.
Set in 1906, “Monte Verità” is centered on a group of society dropouts — including the writer Hermann Hesse — who search for a paradise and find it in Ascona, Switzerland. As well as their clothes, the free-thinking radicals strive to shed the mental corsets that constrict their minds. A young mother, Hanna Leitner, is drawn to the commune to escape her middle-class life. Torn between feelings of guilt toward the family she left behind and her fascination with a life of self-determination, Hanna discovers a passion for photography, and finds her own true voice.
The cast includes Maresi Riegner (“Egon Schiele”), Max Hubacher...
Set in 1906, “Monte Verità” is centered on a group of society dropouts — including the writer Hermann Hesse — who search for a paradise and find it in Ascona, Switzerland. As well as their clothes, the free-thinking radicals strive to shed the mental corsets that constrict their minds. A young mother, Hanna Leitner, is drawn to the commune to escape her middle-class life. Torn between feelings of guilt toward the family she left behind and her fascination with a life of self-determination, Hanna discovers a passion for photography, and finds her own true voice.
The cast includes Maresi Riegner (“Egon Schiele”), Max Hubacher...
- 7/9/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Switzerland’s Locarno Film festival has unveiled its line-up ahead of a physical 2021 edition running August 4-14. Scroll down for a list of titles.
As previously announced, Ferdinando Cito Filomarino’s Beckett, starring John David Washington and Alicia Vikander, will open the festival with its world premiere on August 4.
Joining the movie for a screening at the fest’s main venue, the Piazza Grande, will be titles including John Swab’s Ida Red starring Frank Grillo, which will world premiere, Shawn Levy’s Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds, and several U.S. classics including Michael Mann’s Heat and James Cameron’s The Terminator.
Back in November last year, Deadline interviewed new artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, who told us about his love for popular cinema and American movies. This will mark his debut edition at the helm.
Screening in the Concorso Internazionale strand, which features international works from around the world,...
As previously announced, Ferdinando Cito Filomarino’s Beckett, starring John David Washington and Alicia Vikander, will open the festival with its world premiere on August 4.
Joining the movie for a screening at the fest’s main venue, the Piazza Grande, will be titles including John Swab’s Ida Red starring Frank Grillo, which will world premiere, Shawn Levy’s Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds, and several U.S. classics including Michael Mann’s Heat and James Cameron’s The Terminator.
Back in November last year, Deadline interviewed new artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, who told us about his love for popular cinema and American movies. This will mark his debut edition at the helm.
Screening in the Concorso Internazionale strand, which features international works from around the world,...
- 7/1/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Picture Tree International has sold family drama “God You Are Such a P—k,” starring Til Schweiger and Heike Makatsch, to several additional territories. The Berlin-based sales agent revealed the latest deals as the American Film Market entered its second day of trading.
Among the latest buyers are Koba Films in France, Notorious Pictures in Italy, and Eagle International in Taiwan. HBO Europe took rights in Poland and the former Yugoslavia, Ads in Hungary, Whiland in Latin America, and Rialto in New Zealand.
As reported by Variety, in previous deals Cinemart acquired the rights in the Czech and Slovak republics, and Voxell Films nabbed the movie for the Commonwealth of Independent States. Leonine is distributing the film in Germany.
Picture Tree is in negotiations for U.S. and Canada, mainland China and the other Asian territories.
Inspired by the true story of Stefanie Pape and the book of the same...
Among the latest buyers are Koba Films in France, Notorious Pictures in Italy, and Eagle International in Taiwan. HBO Europe took rights in Poland and the former Yugoslavia, Ads in Hungary, Whiland in Latin America, and Rialto in New Zealand.
As reported by Variety, in previous deals Cinemart acquired the rights in the Czech and Slovak republics, and Voxell Films nabbed the movie for the Commonwealth of Independent States. Leonine is distributing the film in Germany.
Picture Tree is in negotiations for U.S. and Canada, mainland China and the other Asian territories.
Inspired by the true story of Stefanie Pape and the book of the same...
- 11/10/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Variety has been given exclusive access to the trailer of family drama “God You’re Such a P—k,” starring Heike Makatsch and Til Schweiger. Sales agent Picture Tree Intl. has revealed the first territory deals.
Cinemart has taken rights for Czech Republic and Slovakia, while Voxell Films has taken Cis. Picture Tree is in final negotiations for North America, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Poland. The German distributor Leonine is aiming for an Oct. 1 release.
Inspired by the true story of Stefanie Pape and the book of the same name written by her father Frank Pape, the film follows a 16-year-old girl, played by Sinje Irslinger, whose world is turned upside down when she finds out she has terminal cancer right before a school graduation trip to Paris.
When Steffi’s parents, portrayed by Schweiger and Makatsch, decide she should stay home instead, she runs away with a young motorcycle daredevil,...
Cinemart has taken rights for Czech Republic and Slovakia, while Voxell Films has taken Cis. Picture Tree is in final negotiations for North America, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Poland. The German distributor Leonine is aiming for an Oct. 1 release.
Inspired by the true story of Stefanie Pape and the book of the same name written by her father Frank Pape, the film follows a 16-year-old girl, played by Sinje Irslinger, whose world is turned upside down when she finds out she has terminal cancer right before a school graduation trip to Paris.
When Steffi’s parents, portrayed by Schweiger and Makatsch, decide she should stay home instead, she runs away with a young motorcycle daredevil,...
- 8/17/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Sandra Hüller, Gro Swantje Kohlhof, Max Hubacher, August Schmölzer, Marion Kracht, Agata Buzek, Martina Schöne-Radunski, Katharina Behrens, Andreas Anke | Written by Michael Venus, Thomas Friedrich | Directed by Michael Venus
Tormented by vivid nightmares she believes are real, Marlene (Sandra Hüller) starts piecing together her oneiric visions. Assembling nightmarish sketches, maddening notes, and recollections gathered throughout the year, she makes her way to a remote hotel in the peaceful village of Stainbach. There, the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, and she suffers a nervous breakdown. Worried about her mother’s condition, her 19-year-old daughter Mona (Gro Swantje Kohlhof) heads to the psychiatric ward to find her. Coming from the city, the small town’s atmosphere is immediately uncanny. At the hotel – around which everything seems to gravitate – the staff is friendly and helpful. But soon, a well-kept secret and an old curse are uncovered, which, if awakened,...
Tormented by vivid nightmares she believes are real, Marlene (Sandra Hüller) starts piecing together her oneiric visions. Assembling nightmarish sketches, maddening notes, and recollections gathered throughout the year, she makes her way to a remote hotel in the peaceful village of Stainbach. There, the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, and she suffers a nervous breakdown. Worried about her mother’s condition, her 19-year-old daughter Mona (Gro Swantje Kohlhof) heads to the psychiatric ward to find her. Coming from the city, the small town’s atmosphere is immediately uncanny. At the hotel – around which everything seems to gravitate – the staff is friendly and helpful. But soon, a well-kept secret and an old curse are uncovered, which, if awakened,...
- 8/14/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Berlin-based sales company Picture Tree Intl. has picked up international rights to Ufa Fiction’s family drama “God You’re Such a Prick”, which features Til Schweiger and Heike Makatsch leading a star-studded cast.
Inspired by the true story of Stefanie Pape and the book of the same name written by her father Frank Pape, the film follows a 16-year-old girl, played by Sinje Irslinger, whose world is turned upside down when she finds out she has terminal cancer right before a school graduation trip to Paris. When Steffi’s parents, portrayed by Schweiger and Makatsch, decide she should stay home instead, she runs away with a young motorcycle daredevil, played by Max Hubacher, who promises to take her to Paris. Driven by deep longing and a lust for life, Steffi learns it’s easier to let go of life when you’ve really loved it.
Speaking to Variety, director...
Inspired by the true story of Stefanie Pape and the book of the same name written by her father Frank Pape, the film follows a 16-year-old girl, played by Sinje Irslinger, whose world is turned upside down when she finds out she has terminal cancer right before a school graduation trip to Paris. When Steffi’s parents, portrayed by Schweiger and Makatsch, decide she should stay home instead, she runs away with a young motorcycle daredevil, played by Max Hubacher, who promises to take her to Paris. Driven by deep longing and a lust for life, Steffi learns it’s easier to let go of life when you’ve really loved it.
Speaking to Variety, director...
- 4/27/2020
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Titles include documentary ‘Caveman’ and crime story ’Storm’.
Switzerland’s Contrast Film, which is currently enjoying a buzzy response to it San Sebastian and Zurich Film Festival competition title Midnight Runner, has a busy slate ahead of more button-pushing projects.
Stefan Eichenberger and Ivan Madeo, who both produce Midnight Runner, run Zurich- and Bern-based Contrast with filmmaker Urs Frey.
In production now is documentary Caveman, by Italy’s Tommaso Landucci (lead produced by DocLab Rome). The story is about a 50-year-old Italian sculptor working for 30 years on one work of art underground in a cave. “It’s the question of...
Switzerland’s Contrast Film, which is currently enjoying a buzzy response to it San Sebastian and Zurich Film Festival competition title Midnight Runner, has a busy slate ahead of more button-pushing projects.
Stefan Eichenberger and Ivan Madeo, who both produce Midnight Runner, run Zurich- and Bern-based Contrast with filmmaker Urs Frey.
In production now is documentary Caveman, by Italy’s Tommaso Landucci (lead produced by DocLab Rome). The story is about a 50-year-old Italian sculptor working for 30 years on one work of art underground in a cave. “It’s the question of...
- 10/4/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
In an era of reckoning that is rapidly running out of new ways to describe the evil men do, “toxic masculinity” has become all too familiar a buzz term. But it could hardly be more aptly applied to the simmering psychopath at the center of “Midnight Runner”: A clean-cut champion athlete who leads an escalating parallel life as a serial assaulter of women, he appears to be incrementally poisoned from the inside out by his most violent impulses, turning from dysfunctional to dangerous as the sepsis spreads. Fictionalizing and updating events that made Swiss headlines in the 1990s, Hannes Baumgartner’s stern, glass-gazed debut feature courts debate by assuming his point of view for much of its short, sharp running time — achieving a clinical kind of empathy in its attempt to penetrate the male predator’s psychology.
Unspooling in San Sebastián’s New Directors showcase before a home-turf premiere in Zurich,...
Unspooling in San Sebastián’s New Directors showcase before a home-turf premiere in Zurich,...
- 9/24/2018
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Milan Peschel (Freytag), Max Hubacher (Willi Herold) and Frederick Lau (Kipinski) in Robert Schwentke's The Captain (Der Hauptmann)
In his Hollywood career Robert Schwentke has directed Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman for Red; Shailene Woodley, Jeff Daniels, Naomi Watts, and Miles Teller in Allegiant; Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges and Mary-Louise Parker for R.I.P.D., and Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard and Sean Bean for Flightplan.
In the final installment of my conversation with The Captain (Der Hauptmann) director/screenwriter Robert Schwentke he speaks about Alexander Fehling (star of Giulio Ricciarelli's Labyrinth Of Lies) and Frederick Lau's reaction to the captain's uniform, cites a line delivered by Max von Sydow in Woody Allen's Hannah And Her Sisters, agrees with Whit Stillman on Stanley Kubrick's expatriate perspective, recalls the reaction to his Family Jewels (Eierdiebe), and states that "every character in The Captain has a reason for what they're doing.
In his Hollywood career Robert Schwentke has directed Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman for Red; Shailene Woodley, Jeff Daniels, Naomi Watts, and Miles Teller in Allegiant; Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges and Mary-Louise Parker for R.I.P.D., and Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard and Sean Bean for Flightplan.
In the final installment of my conversation with The Captain (Der Hauptmann) director/screenwriter Robert Schwentke he speaks about Alexander Fehling (star of Giulio Ricciarelli's Labyrinth Of Lies) and Frederick Lau's reaction to the captain's uniform, cites a line delivered by Max von Sydow in Woody Allen's Hannah And Her Sisters, agrees with Whit Stillman on Stanley Kubrick's expatriate perspective, recalls the reaction to his Family Jewels (Eierdiebe), and states that "every character in The Captain has a reason for what they're doing.
- 8/10/2018
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Belgian-French sales company Be For Films has announced the pickup of international sales rights for debut Swiss director Hannes Baumgartner’s “Midnight Runner,” set to play as part of San Sebastian’s New Directors.
The true-story feature turns on Jonas Widmer, one of Switzerland’s top long-distance runners, who dreams of one day participating in the Olympics. When not training, he works as a chef and is a pillar of support among his friends and acquaintances.
Just as everything seems to be headed in the right direction, Jonas fails to defend his title during a race in Switzerland, and suppressed memories of his deceased brother start to creep back into his life. Not knowing how to cope, Jonas begins to live a double life in an effort to handle his growing depression.
The film stars two European Film Promotion Shooting Stars in Max Hubacher, who this year dazzled in Marcel Gisler’s “Mario,...
The true-story feature turns on Jonas Widmer, one of Switzerland’s top long-distance runners, who dreams of one day participating in the Olympics. When not training, he works as a chef and is a pillar of support among his friends and acquaintances.
Just as everything seems to be headed in the right direction, Jonas fails to defend his title during a race in Switzerland, and suppressed memories of his deceased brother start to creep back into his life. Not knowing how to cope, Jonas begins to live a double life in an effort to handle his growing depression.
The film stars two European Film Promotion Shooting Stars in Max Hubacher, who this year dazzled in Marcel Gisler’s “Mario,...
- 8/5/2018
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Chicago – Films about the Nazis and the German military during World War II are numerous… except for the ones with a pure German perspective. “The Captain,” directed by Robert Schwentke (“R.I.P.D.”), is based on a true story about a German army deserter who finds a Captain’s uniform, and decides to ride out the waning days of the war with the power of an officer.
Max Hubacher is Willi Herold, the deserter, and his icy cold performance is one of the highlights of “The Captain.” Herold will stop at nothing to survive against the constant chase on the run from the German army, and once he gets a taste of officer power he is not about to let go. His journey takes him to a prison holding other deserters, and his decisions there are based on getting the assignment done quickly and to his larcenous advantage. When complications arise there,...
Max Hubacher is Willi Herold, the deserter, and his icy cold performance is one of the highlights of “The Captain.” Herold will stop at nothing to survive against the constant chase on the run from the German army, and once he gets a taste of officer power he is not about to let go. His journey takes him to a prison holding other deserters, and his decisions there are based on getting the assignment done quickly and to his larcenous advantage. When complications arise there,...
- 7/27/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Captain (Der Hauptmann) director Robert Schwentke: "There's certain conventions in German cinema." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
In the first instalment of my conversation with Robert Schwentke at the Quad Cinema, the director of Red, R.I.P.D., and Flightplan talks about his latest film The Captain (Der Hauptmann), shot by Florian Ballhaus and starring Max Hubacher with Alexander Fehling, Milan Peschel, Frederick Lau, Bernd Hölscher, Waldemar Kobus, Samuel Finzi, and Wolfram Koch.
Max Hubacher stars as Willi Herold in The Captain
Robert Schwentke also discusses with me the significance of the uniform for Emil Jannings in Fw Murnau's Der Letzte Mann; Heinz Rühmann in Helmut Käutner's Der Hauptmann Von Köpenick, based on Carl Zuckmayer's play; being a "big fan" of Bierkampf director and star Herbert Achternbusch; Heinz Schirk's Die Wannseekonferenz and Theodor Kotulla's Aus einem Deutschen Leben; certain conventions of German cinema, and...
In the first instalment of my conversation with Robert Schwentke at the Quad Cinema, the director of Red, R.I.P.D., and Flightplan talks about his latest film The Captain (Der Hauptmann), shot by Florian Ballhaus and starring Max Hubacher with Alexander Fehling, Milan Peschel, Frederick Lau, Bernd Hölscher, Waldemar Kobus, Samuel Finzi, and Wolfram Koch.
Max Hubacher stars as Willi Herold in The Captain
Robert Schwentke also discusses with me the significance of the uniform for Emil Jannings in Fw Murnau's Der Letzte Mann; Heinz Rühmann in Helmut Käutner's Der Hauptmann Von Köpenick, based on Carl Zuckmayer's play; being a "big fan" of Bierkampf director and star Herbert Achternbusch; Heinz Schirk's Die Wannseekonferenz and Theodor Kotulla's Aus einem Deutschen Leben; certain conventions of German cinema, and...
- 7/27/2018
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
After spending the last fifteen years making big budget Hollywood movies like Red, Flight Plan, Insurgent and Allegiant, filmmaker Robert Schwentke returns to his native Germany for his new film The Captain.
Based on a fascinating and disturbing true story, the film follows German soldier Willi Herold (played by Max Hubacher) in the final weeks of World War II as he’s being chased and shot at, presumably having deserted the army. He comes across an abandoned Nazi captain’s uniform and soon makes use of the authority he commands while wearing it. Eventually finding himself visiting a prison camp for army deserters and claiming to be following orders from the Führer himself, Herold uses the power his uniform wields to horrifying effect. Herold went on to become known as the Executioner of Emsland.
Ahead of the film’s Us release on Friday 27th July, James Kleinmann spoke to Robert Schwentke.
Based on a fascinating and disturbing true story, the film follows German soldier Willi Herold (played by Max Hubacher) in the final weeks of World War II as he’s being chased and shot at, presumably having deserted the army. He comes across an abandoned Nazi captain’s uniform and soon makes use of the authority he commands while wearing it. Eventually finding himself visiting a prison camp for army deserters and claiming to be following orders from the Führer himself, Herold uses the power his uniform wields to horrifying effect. Herold went on to become known as the Executioner of Emsland.
Ahead of the film’s Us release on Friday 27th July, James Kleinmann spoke to Robert Schwentke.
- 7/27/2018
- by James Kleinmann
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Hollywood will be hard-pressed to come up with a more horrifying film this year than writer-director Robert Schwentke’s “The Captain.” Schwentke is perhaps best known to American audiences as the filmmaker behind such hit-and-miss shoot-’em-up movies as “Red,” “R.I.P.D.,” and “Insurgent,” which makes this return to his native Germany a rather surprising departure.
Shot in black and white and set in the final days of World War II, “The Captain” is every bit as violent as those movies, and twice as tense, but it’s a different beast entirely: a period piece — one with a chilling contemporary relevance — about Willi Herold, a kid just 19 years old, who found a Nazi officer’s uniform, assumed the role, and self-righteously went on to murder an estimated 170 of his countrymen. Herold was a real person, and the film assumes a passing respect for history, but it’s hardly the kind of penitent,...
Shot in black and white and set in the final days of World War II, “The Captain” is every bit as violent as those movies, and twice as tense, but it’s a different beast entirely: a period piece — one with a chilling contemporary relevance — about Willi Herold, a kid just 19 years old, who found a Nazi officer’s uniform, assumed the role, and self-righteously went on to murder an estimated 170 of his countrymen. Herold was a real person, and the film assumes a passing respect for history, but it’s hardly the kind of penitent,...
- 7/26/2018
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
The Captain (Der Hauptmann) Music Box Films Reviewed by: Harvey Karten Director: Robert Schwentke Screenwriter: Robert Schwentke Cast: Max Hubacher, Milan Peschel, Frederick Lau, Bernd Holscher, Waldemar Kobus Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 7/17/18 Opens: July 27, 2018 Movies about impersonation could be as contemporary and witty as Fred Schepsi’s 1993 “Six Degrees of Separation,” […]
The post The Captain Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Captain Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 7/22/2018
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Smt Heads, Summer is more than half over. But with Music Box Films’ The Captain, you’re still getting coolest in the upcoming indie film. Also, don’t miss the soft breeze of Mary Queen Of Scots with Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie. Not mention 80’s homage, Breakarate!
Based on a disturbing true story, The Captain follows Willi Herold (Max Hubacher), a German army deserter who stumbles across an abandoned Nazi captain’s uniform during the last, desperate weeks of the Third Reich. Newly emboldened by the allure of a suit that he stole only to stay warm, Willi discovers that many Germans will follow the leader, whosoever that happens to be. A parade of fresh atrocities follow in the self-declared captain’s wake, and serve as a profound reminder of the consequences of social conformity and untrammeled political power.
After an illustrious career in Hollywood, Robert Schwentke’s German homecoming film The Captain,...
Based on a disturbing true story, The Captain follows Willi Herold (Max Hubacher), a German army deserter who stumbles across an abandoned Nazi captain’s uniform during the last, desperate weeks of the Third Reich. Newly emboldened by the allure of a suit that he stole only to stay warm, Willi discovers that many Germans will follow the leader, whosoever that happens to be. A parade of fresh atrocities follow in the self-declared captain’s wake, and serve as a profound reminder of the consequences of social conformity and untrammeled political power.
After an illustrious career in Hollywood, Robert Schwentke’s German homecoming film The Captain,...
- 7/13/2018
- by Jason Stewart
- Age of the Nerd
In this heartfelt Swiss drama, the star player at a leading club fears for his future after romance blossoms with a teammate
The diversity of England’s young squad has been a major factor for those of us who’ve been a bit iffy in the past about supporting the national team but are now getting behind Gareth Southgate’s boys. His side look just like a bunch of lads playing in your local park on a Sunday – only they’re better they’re better at kicking the ball. But do they represent modern England? Up to a point. The elephant in the room, in terms of diversity, is sexuality. This unassuming movie from Switzerland convincingly dramatises why a gay man in top flight football may choose stay in the closet. (There’s not an openly gay player in the 20 clubs of the Premier League.)
Max Hubacher gives a low-key,...
The diversity of England’s young squad has been a major factor for those of us who’ve been a bit iffy in the past about supporting the national team but are now getting behind Gareth Southgate’s boys. His side look just like a bunch of lads playing in your local park on a Sunday – only they’re better they’re better at kicking the ball. But do they represent modern England? Up to a point. The elephant in the room, in terms of diversity, is sexuality. This unassuming movie from Switzerland convincingly dramatises why a gay man in top flight football may choose stay in the closet. (There’s not an openly gay player in the 20 clubs of the Premier League.)
Max Hubacher gives a low-key,...
- 7/11/2018
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
"With all the deserters, you never know who's in the uniform." Music Box Films has debuted an official Us trailer for The Captain, a German film from last year about a deserter who discovers new powers when he is mistaken for a captain. After years making big Hollywood blockbusters, filmmaker Robert Schwentke returned to Germany to make this film. It's a play on the Stanford Prison Experiment, where someone with power suddenly takes this power further than thought possible. Set in WWII, the film is about a German army deserter, played by Max Hubacher, who changes his ways when he suddenly has more power. The cast includes Milan Peschel, Frederick Lau, Bernd Hölscher, Waldemar Kobus, Alexander Fehling, Samuel Finzi, and Wolfram Koch. This looks really, really good - I'm surprised we haven't heard more about this film until now. Take a look below. Here's the official Us trailer (+ two posters...
- 6/22/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Captain Trailer Robert Schwentke’s The Captain / Der Hauptmann (2017) movie trailer stars Max Hubacher, Milan Peschel, Frederick Lau, Bernd Hölscher, and Waldemar Kobus. The Captain‘s plot synopsis: “Based on a disturbing true story, The Captain follows Willi Herold (Max Hubacher), a German army deserter who stumbles across an abandoned Nazi captain’s uniform during the [...]
Continue reading: The Captain Movie Trailer: Max Hubacher Pretends to be a German Captain During WWII...
Continue reading: The Captain Movie Trailer: Max Hubacher Pretends to be a German Captain During WWII...
- 6/22/2018
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
After the last decade-plus German director Robert Schwentke has been a Hollywood mainstay with varying levels of success, including Flightplan, Red, R.I.P.D., and a pair of Divergent films. For his latest film, he’s going smaller-scale and back to his roots with the WWII thriller The Captain – also known by its German title Der Hauptmann. With this psychologically challenging thriller, this isn’t Schwentke’s first independent venture as his 2002 horror drama Tattoo found an arthouse audience.
In her review for RogerEbert.com, Tina Hassannia compared the ideologies explored in The Captain to the Milgram experiment, the Stanford University-led experiment that unveiled people’s willingness to physically harm their peers if a high enough authority ordered them to do so. The comparison proves accurate as The Captain centers on German army deserter Willi Herold who disguises himself as a Nazi soldier in order to avoid capture. However, this disguise...
In her review for RogerEbert.com, Tina Hassannia compared the ideologies explored in The Captain to the Milgram experiment, the Stanford University-led experiment that unveiled people’s willingness to physically harm their peers if a high enough authority ordered them to do so. The comparison proves accurate as The Captain centers on German army deserter Willi Herold who disguises himself as a Nazi soldier in order to avoid capture. However, this disguise...
- 6/21/2018
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
During the last, desperate weeks of World War II, a German army deserter by the name of Willi Herold (Max Hubacher) stumbles across an abandoned Nazi captain's uniform. At first merely wearing the uniform to stay warm, Willi discovers more Germans desperate for leadership who are willing to follow anyone. Emboldened by the power his new uniform brings, Willi takes over a prison camp accompanied by his group of followers and claims to be acting on the direct orders of Adolf Hitler... Read More...
- 6/20/2018
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Lisa Brühlmann’s debut film takes three prizes including Best Fiction Film
Blue My Mind, the debut film from Lisa Brühlmann, won three awards at the 21st Swiss Film Awards in Zurich tonight (March 23).
The film, a coming-of-age story imbued with elements of body horror, received best fiction film, best screenplay and best actress for Lena Wedler.
See below for the full list of winners
Brühlmann’s film world premiered in the New Directors section at the 2017 San Sebastian Film Festival, and won the Golden Eye and Critics’ Choice awards at Zurich Film Festival last year.
Best documentary was awarded...
Blue My Mind, the debut film from Lisa Brühlmann, won three awards at the 21st Swiss Film Awards in Zurich tonight (March 23).
The film, a coming-of-age story imbued with elements of body horror, received best fiction film, best screenplay and best actress for Lena Wedler.
See below for the full list of winners
Brühlmann’s film world premiered in the New Directors section at the 2017 San Sebastian Film Festival, and won the Golden Eye and Critics’ Choice awards at Zurich Film Festival last year.
Best documentary was awarded...
- 3/23/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Music Box Films has acquired U.S. rights to The Captain, the World War II drama written and directed by Robert Schwentke that had its world premiere last fall at the Toronto Film Festival. A second-half 2018 theatrical release is planned. Max Hubacher, Milan Peschel and Frederick Lau star in the pic, about a young German soldier (Hubacher), fighting for survival, who finds a Nazi captain's uniform in the waning moments of the war. Impersonating an officer, the man quickly…...
- 2/15/2018
- Deadline
Robert Schwentke’s film shows a young German soldier assuming the identity of a Nazi captain.
Music Box Films has acquired all Us rights from Alfama Films to Robert Schwentke’s The Captain (Der Hauptmann) starring Max Hubacher, Milan Peschel, and Frederick Lau.
Alfama Films is in Berlin handling international sales on the drama, which takes place in the final days of the Second World War. When a young German soldier finds a Nazi captain’s uniform he assumes the monstrous identity of the very people from whom he is trying to escape.
The Captain premiered at Toronto 2017 and Music Box plans a theatrical roll-out in the second half of the year followed by a home entertainment release.
Schwentke’s credits include The Time Traveler’s Wife and the hit action-thriller Red.
“We are pleased to be working with Robert Schwentke to bring...
Music Box Films has acquired all Us rights from Alfama Films to Robert Schwentke’s The Captain (Der Hauptmann) starring Max Hubacher, Milan Peschel, and Frederick Lau.
Alfama Films is in Berlin handling international sales on the drama, which takes place in the final days of the Second World War. When a young German soldier finds a Nazi captain’s uniform he assumes the monstrous identity of the very people from whom he is trying to escape.
The Captain premiered at Toronto 2017 and Music Box plans a theatrical roll-out in the second half of the year followed by a home entertainment release.
Schwentke’s credits include The Time Traveler’s Wife and the hit action-thriller Red.
“We are pleased to be working with Robert Schwentke to bring...
- 2/15/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Emerging talent Max Hubacher [pictured] stars in Second World War drama.
Philip Lee and Markus Barmettler, joint founders of Hong Kong/Beijing-based Facing East, are executive producing The Captain, Robert Schwentke’s first German language film for 14 years, which begins shooting on location in Görlitz today.
Based a true-life story set during the final days of the Second World War, The Captain is being produced by Frieder Schlaich’s Berlin-based Filmgalerie with Alfama Films’ Paulo Branco and Ewa Puszczynska of Opus Film, producer of the Oscar-winning Ida.
Alfama Films will be handling international sales and German rights have already been secured by Weltkino Filmverleih, the local distributor of the Berlinale’s opening film Django.
Up-and-coming Swiss actor Max Hubacher [pictured] has been cast in the title role of the 19-year-old private Willi Herold who dons the abandoned uniform of a highly decorated Luftwaffe captain, gathering soldiers around him to complete an imaginary assignment allegedly given by Hitler himself.
This...
Philip Lee and Markus Barmettler, joint founders of Hong Kong/Beijing-based Facing East, are executive producing The Captain, Robert Schwentke’s first German language film for 14 years, which begins shooting on location in Görlitz today.
Based a true-life story set during the final days of the Second World War, The Captain is being produced by Frieder Schlaich’s Berlin-based Filmgalerie with Alfama Films’ Paulo Branco and Ewa Puszczynska of Opus Film, producer of the Oscar-winning Ida.
Alfama Films will be handling international sales and German rights have already been secured by Weltkino Filmverleih, the local distributor of the Berlinale’s opening film Django.
Up-and-coming Swiss actor Max Hubacher [pictured] has been cast in the title role of the 19-year-old private Willi Herold who dons the abandoned uniform of a highly decorated Luftwaffe captain, gathering soldiers around him to complete an imaginary assignment allegedly given by Hitler himself.
This...
- 2/10/2017
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
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