HYSTERIA

While in the process of filming a provocative feature about the xenophobic arson attacks on German migrant residences in the 1990s, a genuine Quran goes up in flames. The incident deeply shakes the Arab extras on set, who immediately point fingers at the director, making accusations of racism. Caught in this confrontational crossfire is production intern, Elif (24) as everybody involved has layered motivations and agendas at play: the Turkish-German director Yigit (42) and producer Lilith (46) stand on one side of the divide, while extras Said (25), Mustafa (32), and Majid (48) stand on the other. The tensions are getting worse when original film footage goes missing, an apartment key disappears, and an unidentified caller starts contacting the crew. Amid these unsettling events, Elif finds herself increasingly drawn into a whirlwind of shame and suspicion.

Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay © Marcus Höhn photo © filmfaust GmbH