NAHSCHUSS

This movie is inspired by the life of Dr. Werner Teske, who was sentenced to death 1981 in former East Germany. Teske was executed shortly after the trial with a bullet to the back of the neck. It was the last execution in the GDR.

NAHSCHUSS tells the story of Franz Walter, a recent PhD graduate in engineering, who is made an offer he cannot refuse by the State Security’s overseas espionage service. Franz is charged with helping prepare for the upcoming Soccer World Cup. A fan of the so-called “Beautiful Game”, he is lured by the authorities’ carrot of a professorship. Totally enthused, Franz pledges himself to unqualified loyalty to the system, which quickly brings him into conflict, however, with his wife, his friends and family – and his own morality.