The case of Collini: Elyas M'Barek in the captivating struggle for justice
The book adaptation "The Collini case" after Ferdinand von Schirach (55), which starts on April 18 in German cinemas, provides an important history lesson embedded in a thriller thrilling. "Fack ju Göhte" star Elyas M'Barek (36) as a junior lawyer Caspar Leinen in the mandatory defense of a murderer must recognize the limits of truth in court. In addition to M'Barek, especially a cast of roles ensures a successful implementation of the novel substance.
The leniency law and its consequences - That's it
Caspar Leinen (Elyas M'Barek) faces a major challenge: In his first case as a lawyer, he must take over the mandatory defense of Fabrizio Collini (Franco Nero). The Italian apparently shot the German industrialist Hans Meyer (Manfred Zapatka) in his hotel suite in Berlin for no apparent reason.
For linen, the case becomes an interplay between feeling and understanding, because: The victim is the grandfather of his childhood sweetheart Johanna (Alexandra Maria Lara). In addition, the powerful entrepreneur had taken his like a substitute father. In court, the young lawyer tries to live up to his mandate. But Collini is ready for any statement and defense lawyer legend Richard Mattinger (Heiner Lauterbach) skillfully plays his moves - until Leinen encounters a judicial scandal that brings a surprising turn.
It is about the so-called leniency law, which was adopted in 1968 by the German Bundestag and judged numerous war crimes as manslaughter and not as murder - which many acts of Nazi perpetrators were at one time as stateless and unpunished. A glance at Collini's past shows Leinen that the father of the defendant and the former SS officer Hans Meyer were directly affected by this law - as a mourner and profiteer. The fight for justice begins ...
A man of few words is the real star of the film
Elyas M'Barek is the dedicated lawyer Caspar Leinen in the center of the film. As a spectator you are happy with him, that the filmmakers had the right nose and made it possible for him to make the successful transition to a more serious subject. Lein's inner conflict between the harmonious past with Meyer and his granddaughter and the ultimately prevailing commitment of his client Collini in the here and now, brings M'Barek closer to the screen.
Next to him Heiner Lauterbach (66) convince as overrating star lawyer Richard Mattinger and Alexandra Maria Lara (40) as a fighter for her family, which has to endure a bitter truth in the end.
But even if the German actors can convince in their roles, it is above all Franco Nero (77), who helps the film with its title role to a credible implementation. The Italian actor has played in more than 200 Mafia films and spaghetti westerns so far, his experience is a gift for German production. With little speaking share Nero sets only with looks, facial expressions and gestures the unapproachable Collini perfectly.
Conclusion: predestined for the movie screen
After Ferdinand von Schirach brought the piece "Terror" (2015) to the theaters and to the TV ("Terror - Ihr Urteil", 2016), "Collini" (2011) now has his first novel ever on the big one Canvas done. Director Marco Kreuzpaintner (42, "Beat") found with a strong cast and authentic setting - especially the sober courtroom and the Italian village Collinis - a fitting staging for the book, which has sold more than 500,000 copies in Germany.
The substance of the novel rightly receives a cinematic monument, for the almost forgotten judicial scandal in Nazi history raises one of the big questions: what is right and what is justice? In the end, the sobering answer remains: both are not always in harmony.
