directed by Christian Wagner
produced by Claussen+Wöbke+Putz Filmproduktion
and Christian Wagner Film co-produced by Bayerischen Rundfunks and Norddeutschen Rundfunks.
Development supported by MEDIA und FFF Bayern
Germany 2014
HD Dolby Digital (2K DCP subtitled in english/french/spanish/Slovenian versions)
duration: 90 Min
worldsales: Global screen worldsales
German premiere:
32. FILMFEST MÜNCHEN 2014
International premiere:
WORLD FILMFESTIVAL MONTREAL 2014
Festivals: Ludwigshafen, Biberach, German Festivals in Madrid and Buenos Aires, Bled, La Rochelle (in competition)
Golden Camera Award (2015) Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for M. Gedeck as 'Best German Actress'
Synopsis Juvenile judge Corinna Kleist is not one to leave her work at the office, especially since one of her delinquents jumped out of a window after her sentencing. After her sabbatical to recover from the tragic suicide, Corinna volunteers in Berlin's ghetto of Neukölln, trying to really help her charges rather than just follow the rules, watching one problem-family kid after another turn into full-grown criminals. In one case she takes very personally, she confronts 21-year-old repeat offender Nazir, head of a Lebanese clan that rules the drug trade in Berlin's Hasenheide quarter. She tries to help his younger brother Rafiq, who will be 14 soon and thus subject to juvenile court. She turns the scrawny kid into her own personal crusade. As far as Corinna is concerned, the kid needs a firm hand and tough love if he's going to learn to fly straight. But Corinna Kleist soon has almost everybody against her, triggering a deluge of violence…
“Wagner’s film comes just at the right time because it breathes life back into a debate that was threatening to die away (….) Wagner is a subtle storyteller. Which he demonstrates not just by way he directs the main characters; the supporting cast in particular he directs with a precision you seldom see…” STERN 11/ 14
shot in location in: Berlin 11. September - 17. October 2013
„One of the best movies of the year.“ (FRANKFURTER RUNDSCHAU)
„Touching.“ (WAZ)
GERMAN ACTING Award (2015) MATHILDE BUNDSCHUH STRONG APPEARENCE Performance by an Actress/ NEWCOMER
