In the quaint setting of Amrum Island in rural northern Germany, amidst the waning days of World War II in early 1945, a compelling family drama unfolds in the upcoming German period film ‘Rheingold.’
Helmed by acclaimed director Fatih Akin, ‘Rheingold’ weaves a poignant tale inspired by the childhood memories of German author and director Hark Bohm, who collaborated with Akin on the screenplay. The film follows the journey of Nanning, a 12-year-old boy, and his loyal companion Hermann as they navigate the complexities of adolescence amidst the looming darkness of war.
With Diane Kruger gracing the cast as farmer’s wife Tessa Bendixen, the film features an ensemble of talented actors including Jasper Billerbeck as Nanning, Kian Köppke as Hermann, and Laura Tonke as Nanning’s mother. Matthias Schweighöfer, Detlev Buck, and Lars Jessen also lend their talents to the production, while Hark Bohm himself appears in a supporting role as the enigmatic ‘old man by the sea.’
Akin’s production company, bombero, joins forces with Warner Bros. Germany and Rialto Film to bring ‘Rheingold’ to life. Warner Bros. will oversee its release in German cinemas next September, while Beta Cinema secures international sales rights and prepares to showcase the film to potential buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.
Reuniting with Akin after their critically acclaimed collaboration on the 2017 courtroom drama , Kruger solidifies her status as a force to be reckoned with in the German film industry. The project marks the continuation of their creative partnership, which also includes plans for a biopic centering around the legendary German cinema icon . Kruger’s presence at the Cannes Film Market this year extends beyond ‘Rheingold,’ as she also stars alongside Vincent Cassel and Guy Pearce in David Cronenberg’s horror thriller .
