Indie Gems: Labyrinth of Lies

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Your country's history from 1938-1945 is missing.

It's 1958, Johann Radman (Alexander Fehling) is a bottom of the barrel public defender who overhears a reporter, Thomas (Andre Szymanski) going off about Auschwitz. However no one seems to be taking him seriously. What happened in the camps at this point in time was kept very secret in Germany. Johann wants to dig deeper, and ends up exposing cover ups that change Germany's history forever.

This film was submitted for the Best Foreign Film Oscar, but even though they've typically gone after Holocaust movies in the past, they didn't bite at this one. It surprises me as this is a different take than what we're used to. It's interesting to see the perspective of the war a decade later in the eyes of a lawyer who's largely been kept in the dark.

Fehling is a great lead. His naivety is apparent,  and you can't help but root for the guy. He just wants to do the right thing, even if his bias tends to get in the way at times. Szymanski is also very good as the harsh reporter who drops quite the secret on Johann in the 3rd act.

The film is a bit of a slow burn, but an interesting one. 

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "You're already married..." - Johann Radman (Alexander Fehling)

Comments

  1. DellApril 15, 2016 at 9:14 AM

    Haven't seen this one, but it sounds right up the Academy's alley. Can't say I'm excited for yet another Holocaust movie, so I'm not sure I'll watch this or not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 16, 2016 at 7:20 AM

      It is a bit different than the usual, I'm still surprised they didn't bite at it though.

      Delete
  2. BirgitApril 16, 2016 at 8:38 PM

    This sounds like quite the good film. I hope I can see this one day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Big Screen Small WordsApril 17, 2016 at 2:26 AM

    This sounds interesting, will be adding it on my to-watch list. The tone seems similar to The Lives Of Others, even the film was a bit of a slow burn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 18, 2016 at 12:36 AM

      It's a bit similiar. I prefer The Lives of Others to this, but both are good films.

      Delete
  4. RuthApril 20, 2016 at 9:54 AM

    I've been watching a ton of indie films lately thanks to MSPIFF. There sure are a ton of Holocaust films out there, but it seems that this one managed to offer something a bit different. There's a recent one called Remember that's probably playing now at some indie theaters, it's a slow-burn one as well that you might like. It's got Christopher Plummer in the lead.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 21, 2016 at 9:15 AM

      I'll have to check that out. I feel like I've watched a ton of WWII movies lately, but I still appreciate that ones that aren't just more of the same.

      Delete

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