Oscar nominee Clive Owen (Closer) will play police officer in Germany on the brink of WWII in historical thriller “Kristallnacht.”
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The feature comes from Oscar-winning filmmaker Stefan Ruzowitzky (“The Counterfeiters”), who directs from screenplay he co-wrote with Julius Grützke, based on original script by Jonathan Frank and Scott Mann.
Based on a true story, “Kristallnacht” is set in Berlin on the eve of war and follows police lieutenant Wilhelm Krützfeld (Owen) over the course of 24 hours as he navigates a city turned into a powder keg.
Following the assassination of a German attaché in Paris, which is wrongfully labeled a “Jewish terrorist attack” by Nazi propaganda, the people turn on the perceived “enemy within” and violently descend on Jewish neighborhoods and places of worship.
As the city spirals into chaos and dozens of innocent people are murdered, orders are handed down to “let the people riot.” Krützfeld is faced with the moral choice between upholding the system or taking a stand.
Added Benaroya: “The moment we were brought this true story, we knew it was going to be an important film. And as we went through multiple drafts over the years, Krützfeld’s heroic actions only became more and more relevant to our times. Partnering with Stefan and Clive feels like the perfect culmination in our extensive efforts to tell the unflinching story of a man who risked everything to preserve his humanity in a world gone mad.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Stefan again,” said producer Krausz. “This important story is a perfect fit for him to direct, and we are grateful to get to work with Michael to help bring it to the big screen.”
