Jerichow

• Director: Christian Petzold
• Writer: Christian Petzold
• Cast: Benno Fürmann, Nina Hoss, Hilmi Sözer
• Theatrical Release Date: May 15, 2009
• Distributor: The Cinema Guild
• On The Web IMDB Entry

Synopsis: At the outset of the film, Thomas (Benno Fürmann) is returning home for his mother's funeral, a seemingly simple premise that rapidly becomes something far more complex and compelling. Running from a business associate to whom he owes money, Thomas stumbles across a man who is destined to change his life. Stopping at a roadside accident, he befriends Ali (Hilmi Sözer), a middle-aged Turk who, under the influence, has almost driven his van into a local canal. The two men soon find that they are very useful to each other. Ali, his licence now suspended, needs a driver to ferry him around his ragtag kingdom of local snack bars. Thomas, meanwhile, is penniless, and Ali seems cash-flush. The film takes a decidedly steamy and noirish turn when Thomas discovers that Ali is married to a hot young blonde (Nina Hoss). It is not long before Petzold seamlessly brings all of his characters' competing needs and desires together. [Synopsis courtesy of Toronto International Film Festival]