Der Totmacher (1995)
No stats available
Directors
Cast
Götz George, Jürgen Hentsch, Hans-Michael Rehberg, Pierre Franckh, Matthias Fuchs, Marek Harloff, Christian Honhold
In an unnamed, sparsely furnished room, Haarmann is questioned by Schultze, who is tasked with assessing his criminal responsibility.
The story
The film unfolds entirely in an unnamed, sparsely furnished room; a statement by Haarmann indicates that the questioning takes place in Göttingen. Over several sessions, Schultze questions Haarmann and assesses his criminal responsibility, while a stenographer records their conversations. Haarmann recounts his deeds matter-of-factly, at times with a naïve, detached air. As the questioning continues, these accounts build an oppressive impression of his crimes. The story stays focused on the sessions and on Schultze’s task of evaluating Haarmann’s responsibility.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film is set entirely in a single, unnamed, sparsely furnished room, possibly an interrogation room. From a statement Haarmann makes in the film, it emerges that the questioning is taking place in Göttingen. In this room, over several sessions, Haarmann is questioned by Schultze, who is to assess his criminal responsibility. Haarmann recounts his deeds matter-of-factly, at times with a naïve, detached air. A stenographer present in the room records the conversations. As the film progresses, the viewer develops a vivid and oppressive picture of Haarmann’s crimes. In the final scene, Haarmann has already been found guilty and sentenced to death. At their last meeting before the execution, Schultze gives him a cigar. A somewhat more relaxed conversation develops between the two men, during which Haarmann talks about his relationship with death.
Genres
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…