Berlin '36

by Kaspar Heidelbach

Based on the true story of Jewish high jumper Gretel Bergmann who unwittingly became the biggest threat to the Nazi Party in 1936.

1936. The United States threatens to boycott the Berlin Olympics if there are no Jews in the German team. Still aiming to mislead the world about their true ambitions, the Nazis are forced to admit some Jewish athletes. Among them the leading female high jumper of the time - Gretel Bergmann. Although Gretel, who has emigrated to England and become the current UK champion, has no desire to return, the Nazis force Gretel back by threatening her family, who is still residing in Germany. With seemingly no other German female high jumper around who could challenge Gretel, the unknown Marie Ketteler is suddenly introduced as a member of the team. Marginalized by the rest of the team, the two rivals forge a tenuous friendship, with Marie carrying a secret that puts their friendship and a hidden Nazi agenda to the test… Based on a true story.

Genre / Language / Length
Drama / German / 100 minutes
Original title
Stille Sieger
directed by
Kaspar Heidelbach
produced by
Gemini Film with backing from NDR and Degeto
Cast
  • Karoline Herfurth (TEXT FOR YOU, WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL)
  • Sebastian Urzendowsky (THE TOWER, BORGIA, BABYLON BERLIN)
  • Axel Prahl (BERLIN '36 )
  • August Zirner (COLONIA DIGNIDAD, BELLA MARTHA)
  • Thomas Thieme (THE LIVES OF OTHERS)
Download

Press Quotes

“A fascinating real-life story about a most unusual friendship in Nazi Germany on the eve of the '36 Olympics.”
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"...a moving and thrilling film..."
SPIEGEl ONlINE

×