THE COLLINI CASE is a German legal thriller based on Ferdinand von Schirach’s novel, directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner. Set in Berlin, it follows Caspar Leinen, a young, inexperienced lawyer appointed as a public defender for Fabrizio Collini, a 70-year-old Italian immigrant accused of murdering Hans Meyer, a prominent industrialist, in a hotel room. Collini, a quiet man with no prior criminal record, confesses to the killing but refuses to reveal his motive, leaving Leinen grappling with a seemingly open-and-shut case.

As Leinen investigates, he uncovers a personal connection to Meyer, who was a father figure to him during his childhood, complicating his ethical obligations. His research reveals Collini’s past as a victim of Nazi-era injustices, with Meyer implicated in war crimes during World War II. The case exposes a dark chapter in German history, specifically the legal loopholes that allowed former Nazis to evade justice post-war. Leinen navigates a tense courtroom battle, facing a seasoned prosecutor and societal resistance to revisiting Germany’s past.

The film explores themes of justice, morality, and historical accountability, questioning whether personal vengeance can justify murder and how societies confront their legacies. Leinen’s journey forces him to balance professional duty with personal loyalty, while Collini’s silence underscores the pain of unaddressed trauma. The trial’s outcome hinges on unearthing suppressed truths about Meyer’s actions and the German legal system’s failure to address wartime atrocities.

THE COLLINI CASE was released on April 18, 2019.