Matthias van den Berg

Claudia Voss, honorary mayoress, is presented with a fait accompli when her Southern German district decides to build a refugee centre in her town. Some of the population are fuming and resistance grows, but there are equal amounts of willingness to help and empathy. Unexpectedly, the committed wife and mother attracts the attention of right-wing circles and faces attempts to intimidate her. The more Claudia Voss tries to mediate, the stronger the hostility becomes. A gripping contemporary thriller which paints a nuanced picture of the challenges brought by an increasingly polarized political reality. No exception, but instead a widespread, alarming phenomenon in today’s democratic societies.

Up on the Horse Pass, in the mist-shrouded mountains, a few cowboys are raided by the men of a notorious bandit named Black Wolf. The reckless Aaron ballsy routs the robbers – but the same night he pays for it with his life. His quiet, reserved brother Jonah swears revenge. It is his chance to step out of his brother’s shadow and finally show his manfulness to his father. But the Black Wolf seems to be one size too big…

6.8/10

One night at a German pub can bring you philosophic arguments about being a machine, the difference of Indian and African elephants and gambling addiction.