Südpol (2019)

The Südpol is a venue in Vienna’s Böhmischer Prater. Ella, a pregnant marine biology student in her final semester, works there part-time as a waitress and is taken hostage by an armed man. However, he makes no demands. Mario, Ella’s boyfriend, tries to find her at the Südpol, but emergency personnel block his way. Police officers find a digital camera outside the venue, with photos of Ella on it. The hostage-taker had lost the camera. After a shot rings out inside, the hostage-taker appears in the doorway. Ella pulls him back inside, suggesting that she may already have known him. Three weeks before the hostage-taking: Hans Wallentin is a family man around 50 who has basically had everything he ever wished for—until he loses his middle-management job after almost 20 years. He tries to hide this from his wife, Sandra, but some time later she happens to find the termination letter and confronts him. Hans does not talk to her; instead, he packs his bags and moves into a hotel. Soon afterward, he sets off to see a lawyer to file for divorce. He wants to give up everything: their savings, the car, the boat, their shared house in Vienna’s suburban belt, and custody of their son. Looking for a way out of his life crisis, Wallentin meets Ella at the Südpol. Her charm and carefree nature rekindle his zest for life. Hans comes to the Südpol every day and seeks Ella’s company. Some of these encounters, which Hans initiates, lead to very personal conversations. One time, when Ella has neither the time nor the inclination, he threatens her with his gun, takes her hostage, and barricades himself inside the venue with her. He makes no demands and refuses to speak to the police. When Hans wants to leave the venue with his pistol, Ella pulls him back inside because she fears the police will shoot him. After long conversations with Ella, Hans eventually gives himself up and is arrested by the police.