Germany | France 2014
Opening June 18, 2014
Directed by: Christoph Hochhäusler
Writing credits: Ulrich Peltzer Christoph Hochhäusler
Principle actors: Florian David Fitz, Horst Kotterba, Lilith Stangenberg
Journalist Fabian Grays (Fitz) is researching a shocking story connected to the German armed forces for his political magazine Die Woche. He hopes to reveal the facts, but progress is slow. He is not amused when his boss shoves a new intern, Nadja (Stangenberg), into his sphere of responsibility. They are hardly suited to work together and take off on a bumpy start. When the original informer, called “The Joker” disappears, they begin researching a hazardous waste scandal, which turns out to be related to the original armed forces affair. Naturally, Fabian and Nadja eventually appreciate each other and together they bring in the Big Story. A good film for anyone who likes “reporter thrillers,” this one slowly builds up to a climax. There are many camera shots of reflections in glass and mirrors: in the living room windows from the terrace, in café and restaurant windows, in office building and hotel windows, in car rearview mirrors. Filmed in Berlin, the title could translate to something like “The Fabrications of the Winner.” It’s difficult to judge this film. Is it just another Sunday-evening Tatort? Is it delicately subtle with more to be found behind all those reflections? You’ll have to see it to decide. ()