In the Fade - Fatih Akin

This German drama film directed by international acclaimed Fatih Akin, was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or in the main competition section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. At Cannes, Diane Kruger won the Best Actress award. It was selected as the German entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist. It won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The Story: Katja is married to Nuri Sekerci, a Kurdish man with whom she has a 5-year-old son, Rocco. They live in Hamburg. She met Nuri when she bought hashish from him when she was a student. She married him when he was still in prison, despite both his parents and hers being opposed to the marriage. Since the birth of their son Rocco, Nuri has quit drug trafficking, studied business administration while in jail, and now works in Hamburg at a translation and tax office.

One morning, Katja drops her son off at her husband’s office in the afternoon. When Katja returns for him in the evening, she finds the road blocked. A policeman tells her that a man and a child have been killed in a nail bomb attack. DNA analysis confirms that the victims are her husband and son. The police questions her and she remembers that shortly before the attack, a young blonde woman was at the scene, and she noticed that the woman did not chain her bike to the railings, although the bike looked new. The bike basket contained a black parcel.

As the investigation goes on the police initially focuses on revenge from drug traffickers even though Katja confirms Nuri was a rehabilitated man looking after his family. Katja suspects that her husband’s Kurdish background and the Neo-Nazi movements have something to do with the attack. Based on Katja's profile description the police arrest two suspects, André and Edda Möller, a young couple with international neo-Nazi connections, with evidences for traces of the explosive used for the crime at their home. The police charges them for their heinous crimes based on primary watertight evidence.

At the later court hearing, scientific experts describe all the details of the bomb attack that strengthens Katja's claims. Assisting Katja is attorney Danilo Fava. She also meets André Möller's father, who is sympathetic and sorry for the act of his son and daughter in law. The defense lawyer, Haberbeck, dilutes the case for attaining provision of reasonable doubt to get his clients free. He does so by questioning the integrity of Katja and the evidence, and further goes on to gather false alibis for his clients through the neo-Nazi network. Katja is in despair seeing the justice system has failed her and she sees no reason to continue living. However, Katja decides she wants justice in her own terms.

Cast: Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto, Johannes Krisch, Numan Acar, Adam Bousdoukos, Yiannis Economides.

The film is named after the song of the same name by American rock band Queens of the Stone Age, whose lead singer, Josh Homme, wrote the film's score.

With Greek and English subtitles
Duration: 105’

With the collaboration of Pantheon Art Cinema
Media Sponsor: CYBC

Tickets: €10 / 7