Labyrinth of Lies

(Im Labyrinth des Schweigens)

In select theaters
September 25^th 2015

124 minutes

German, English

Germany

Synopsis: Frankfurt 1958: nobody wants to look back to the time of the National Socialist regime. Young public prosecutor Johann Radmann comes across some documents that help initiate the trial against some members of the SS who served in Auschwitz. But both the horrors of the past and the hostility shown towards his work bring Johann close to a meltdown. It is nearly impossible for him to find his way through this maze; everybody seems to have been involved or guilty.

97% on the CINEMETER

STL

100% - Oct 4, 2015

Very moving, well done, hopefully the horror will not be forgotten. Liked the music, brought tears several times as I tried to absorb this reality.

Amazing movie.

The lead actor is such a doll!

Telling the stories is critical. The survivors are almost gone. We must not forget.

St. Louis Member

St. Louis Member

MIL

96% - Sep 20, 2015

Starts weak, ends strong. Builds up well.
Milwaukee Member

Historical gem.
Milwaukee Member

Moving and well-acted. Filmed in the "yellowish" color tones of films in the 1950s & 60s. Music reflected the emotions in the story. Should be seen and discussed by all adults.
Milwaukee Member

I enjoyed the director's rather traditional approach to narrative.
Milwaukee Member

Outstanding, gripping, just.
Milwaukee Member

Wow. If this had been made with recognizable American actors, the press would be all over it. I hope that it gets the recognition that it deserves.
Milwaukee Member

ATL

100% - Oct 4, 2015

best movie of the year
Atlanta Member

A masterpiece.
Atlanta Member

Amazingly well crafted film by first-timers. Beautiful use of close shots to make such a film of broad scope intimate. From the acting to the costuming, to the screenplay to the cinematography...Picture pefect! By far one of the best films we've seen int eh club; and I've been coming since 1999!
Atlanta Member

Mesmerizing
Atlanta Member

Pure perfection! Every scene, every shot, every moment could stand on its own in its artful mastery. Not a bit heavy handed but rather maintained the delicate balance of fact and emotion around every turn.
Atlanta Member

Except for melodrama when Radman goes over the edge, about 80% through, the film is beautifully crated and extraordinarily told. Excellent use of horrifyingly personal stories to humanize the big picture.
Atlanta Member

98% - Sep 27, 2015

Outstanding! Everyone should see this movie!
Washington, DC Member

I didn't want to like the movie, but I thought it was well done and impressive. Personal life was a bit trite, but overall an excellent film.
Washington, DC Member

I Loved the moral complexity of this film. It was powerful and compelling and gratifying to witness the growth of young Radmann. The terrific editing left some events to the viewer's imagination - it's not necessary to show everything dramatically.
Washington, DC Member

This trial was a piece of history I hadn't known much, if anything, about. It's impossible to comprehend how anybody or a country carries on from everything that happened. Incomprehensible. This was movie was so well done and I'm so glad I saw it, no matter how gut-wrenching. And I think that's the point.
Washington, DC Member

BOS

99% - Sep 27, 2015

Superb! Important perspective on the state of things in Germany in the 50s.
Boston Member

Powerful and important subject matter, thoughtfully presented.
Boston Member

Excellent film. Wonderful character study. Cinematography was great. Important part of history.
Boston Member

I did not know about Germany’s post war amnesia—very helpful.
Boston Member

99% - Sep 27, 2015

Enthralling, excellent presentation of a historic event. Moving and excellent pacing. Sadly, the story of atrocities continues as we close our eyes to it, individually and as governments.
Greater New Haven Member

A painful and significant story well told. It addressed many questions that human struggle with. The movie had my full attention every second and beautifully handled such a difficult subject. Many layered and wonderful.
Greater New Haven Member

Extraordinary movie. The contrast of the visual beauty of Germany at the beginning of the film - muted colors, soft geometric shots of environments and people - with the slow revelation of evil lying dormant everywhere was brilliant.
Greater New Haven Member

90% - Sep 27, 2015

Incredibly well done. Riveting and unforgettable. Definitely not "just another" Holocaust film.
San Francisco Member

I've been waiting a long time for a movie about this topic - and what a good one it turned out be. Superb! Cannot fault in any way.
San Francisco Member

Extremely deft handling of a huge topic. Alexander Fehling carried the role and burden so well. Silence/inaction is such a prescient topic for all of us to reflect and act on.
San Francisco Member

A story that needed to be told and that I had no idea about. Superb acting, directing, cinematography, score. Peter's history lesson was very useful in understanding the context - thank you!
San Francisco Member

Character development was brilliant. The film left me emotionally drained. Having lived in Germany in the 1970s, WW II was still not talked about. I appreciated the depth of this film.
San Francisco Member

SPC