From there, she channeled their stories into the fabric of the film.
Read on to find out how.
Its great to see such a complex and unapologetic woman who doesnt apologize for her actions.
Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
That doesnt come along very often, does it?KRUGER:No, definitely not for me.
This is my first German-language film, and I know that Fatih took a big risk on picking me.
It was inspired by real acts of terrorism by aneo-Nazi group called the NSU, right?
Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
So, because of his outsiders journey, thats the reason he made this film.
It could have been jihadists; it could have been a shooter in Las Vegas.
In the end, its about the people that stay behind, and thats whats so touching… FATIH AKIN:My motivation was in how the media forgot these attacks.
Magnolia Pictures
Something happens in the news, and tomorrow we forget it.
I had to keep this dialogue alive for an audience.
Once I began writing, all these political elements shifted to the background.
Magnolia Pictures
After a certain while in the film, it seems to be exchangeable.
In grief, were all the same.
State justice is a very different thing than individual needs for justice.
Gordon Timpen/Magnolia Pictures
Trials in Germany are typically the most non-emotional events.
Emotions have nothing to do with a courtroom in Germany.
Its all very cold.
The [coldness] of the state meets this emotional thing for the individual.
Where theres a conflict, theres drama, and where theres drama, theres a screenplay.
Diane, you embody that universal quality so well in your performance.
So, I prepped for six months.
I met with about 30 families of survivors not just of terrorism, but terrible murder.
I felt like I was drowning, and I still feel this story everyday.
It was mostly self-help groups.
You feel like an intruder; you feel like an asshole for asking questions.
Like rage, [because] its one thing when somebody gets sick and dies.
So, what the Katja does [with her grief] is an example, and its a choice.
No matter who starts it, it always ends in violence.
The solution, however, is in the dialogue, and cinema can create that dialogue.
With help from the films arguments, the reasonable can convince the unreasonable.
KRUGER:Im not a politician; Im just a human being.
Were all trying to figure out whats happening and what we can do to make these horrific things stop.
