Teaser for Fatih Akin’s “Amrum” Unveiled Ahead of Cannes Premiere

The teaser for Fatih Akin’s highly anticipated film “Amrum” has just been released, coinciding with its upcoming world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Beta Cinema is managing global sales, while Warner Bros. will handle distribution in Germany and Dulac Distribution will take care of France.

Setting and Storyline

Set against the backdrop of Amrum Island, off Germany’s coast in the spring of 1945, the film follows 12-year-old Nanning as he navigates the final days of World War II. Braving the perilous sea to hunt seals, fishing at night, and working on a nearby farm to support his family, Nanning’s life on the picturesque, windswept island feels almost idyllic. However, the arrival of peace uncovers a more immediate danger: the enemy is closer than he ever imagined.

Inspired by Real Life

“Amrum” draws inspiration from the childhood of German actor, writer, and director Hark Bohm, who penned the original screenplay that Akin later reworked and directed.

Cinematic Influences

In a recent statement, Akin shared his cinematic inspirations for the film. “When Hark first shared the story, I immediately thought of classics like ‘Bicycle Thieves’ and ‘Shoeshine’ by Vittorio De Sica,” he remarked. “The scenes where Nanning searches for driftwood at night reminded me of ‘The Night of the Hunter’ by Charles Laughton. Overall, I aimed for the film to embody the spirit of ‘Stand by Me’ by Rob Reiner — a reflection of my own cinematic upbringing and a personal connection to the project.”

Star-Studded Cast

The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Jasper Billerbeck, Laura Tonke, Lisa Hagmeister, Kian Köppke, Lars Jessen, Detlev Buck, Jan Georg Schütte, Matthias Schweighöfer, and Diane Kruger.

Production Team

Produced by Akin and Herman Weigel, “Amrum” is a collaboration between Bombero International and Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany, in partnership with Rialto Film. The film’s visual storytelling is crafted by director of photography Karl Walter Lindenlaub, with editing by Andrew Bird.

Akin’s Acclaimed Career

Fatih Akin first gained international acclaim in 2004 with “Head-On,” which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. His subsequent works include “The Edge of Heaven” (2007), which earned best screenplay at Cannes, and “Soul Kitchen” (2009), which received the special jury prize at Venice. “The Cut” (2014) premiered in competition at Venice, while “In the Fade” (2017) won best actress for Kruger at Cannes and the Golden Globe for best foreign language film. His latest film, “Rheingold” (2022), attracted over one million viewers in Germany, solidifying Akin’s reputation as a leading figure in contemporary cinema.