Im schwedischen Ort Kymlinge kommt die Familie Hermansson zu einer Geburtstagsfeier zusammen. Am nächsten Morgen ist Sohn Walter, ein umstrittener Fernsehstar, spurlos verschwunden – kurz darauf fehlt auch von Enkel Henrik jede Spur. Inspektor Gunnar Barbarotti übernimmt die Ermittlungen, doch die Familie zeigt sich verschlossen. Als Monate später Walters Leiche auftaucht, bleibt die Frage offen, ob es einen Zusammenhang zwischen beiden Fällen gibt. Die Krimiverfilmung basiert auf dem gleichnamigen Roman von Håkan Nesser.

2010 television film directed by Raymond Ley

A young couple in love: Rebecca (32) and her boyfriend Julian (34) are expecting their first child and are full of pleasant expectation. As Rebecca gives birth to a healthy boy their luck seems to be perfect. But instead of the unconditional motherly love she was expecting she is thrown into an emotional turmoil. Helplessness and desperation reign and her own baby is a stranger to her. With every day that passes her inability to meet the demands of motherhood become more and more apparent. Unable to admit this to anyone, not even Julian, she falls into a deep darkness - to the point that she realises she is becoming a threat to her child. Now only unconditional love can bring her back on track…

After resigning from office, the chancellor moved to a small town in the Uckermark with her husband and dog. But initially it is not easy for her to leave the hectic city life and politics behind. But then there is a death. The ex-Chancellor finally has a job again.

For her rst television lm – a remake of Fassbind- er’s Die bi eren Tränen der Petra von Kant – direc- tor Vera wants the perfect cast. But the rst day of shoo ng is fast approaching and the numerous cas ng sessions have yet to nd a suitable actress to play the leading role. Although the producer and crew are ge ng ever more exasperated with Vera, Gerwin is happy about the extra work, as he earns his money as an audi on reader, delivering the lines of dialogue to the starry candidates at the various cas ngs. When the male lead suddenly has to back out, Gerwin thinks that this might just be his chance. Director Nicolas Wackerbarth captures the complex essence of Fassbinder’s lm and simultaneously cre- ates a profound work of his own. Cas ng takes an un inching look at the murky depths of human rela- onships driven by power, passion and despera on. Yet Wackerbarth also brings bi er truths to light about power rela ons and dependencies in the Ger- man television industry almost in passing. Cas ng is both intelligent and entertaining, marked by ex- ci ng turning points, humour and the breathtaking ac ng performances by a truly virtuoso ensemble.