Directed by:
Sherry HormannCinematography:
Michael BallhausComposer:
Martin TodsharowCast:
Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Thure Lindhardt, Amelia Pidgeon, Trine Dyrholm, Dearbhla Molloy, Roeland Wiesnekker, Ellen Schwiers, Erni Mangold, Jaymes Butler (more)Plots(1)
On March 9th, 1998, 10-year-old Natascha Kampusch is abducted on her way to school. In an instant, Natascha's world has changed forever. She finds herself held captive in a dark, windowless cellar. The only person she sees is her kidnapper, Wolfgang Priklopil. As the years go by, he plays cruel mind games and mercilessly exploits Natascha, all in pursuit of his dream of creating the perfect woman in his basement prison. But Natascha proves to be resilient. She educates herself and looks for ways to manipulate her relationship with her captor. Natascha records every detail of her brutal existence on scraps of tissue paper, so as not to forget a single thing. Now, she is down to the final sheet – and Natascha knows it has to end. On August 23rd, 2006 – after 3,096 days in captivity – Natascha takes her chance and escapes, tasting freedom for the first time. She is a survivor. (Berlinale)
(more)Reviews (2)
This drama went unnoticed by me for a long time. I somehow thought that it wasn't a topic you had to see right away when someone sends it out into the world. Then suddenly it appeared on TV, so I decided to give it a try. When it comes to dramas of a similar caliber, it can compete with the best ones from Hollywood. The only difference is that this one is based on truth, which makes it even more terrifying. The actresses portraying Natasha were superb, and Thure Lindhardt played Priklopil perfectly. His character will forever puzzle any psychologist. The film, however, is very cold, without emotions, drawing from facts. In this case, though, it might be better.
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The story of Natascha Kampusch is quite scary in itself, and I was curious how it would be translated into a film. I have to say I was expecting something a little more disturbing than this. The atmosphere must have been truly insane at times, but the film failed to turn that to its advantage. It portrays something that is definitely not right, but it gives you the impression that the girl didn’t suffer all that much. Is it really so hard to make something that will rip your heart out? I mean, it's a true story... A documentary about Natascha and her testimony would have a much more depressing atmosphere.
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