Written and Directed by Paul Hoffmann
A young man hides Europe’s last refugee in a German village — while mysterious signs and a blackout spark murderous paranoia among the neighbors.
Genre
Politcal Thriller
Status
Post Produktion
Length
78 min
Original Language
German
Executive Producer
Paul Hoffmann
Co-Producer
Million Pictures GmbH
Executive Producers
Fynn Behrendt
Lotte Friedenberger
Production Design
Mara Wüst
Sound Supervisor
Jaime Bustamente
Cinematography
Jana Pape
Original Score
Cloud Trips
CAST
DOMINIKUS WEILEDER
Rolle: David (Main Role)
Known for: All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), Bibi & Tina (2020-2022), Jenseits der Spree (2025)
While studying acting at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, Dominikus Weileder appeared in various high-profile German-language cinema and streaming productions. In 2024, he performed at the Berliner Ensemble in Max Lindemann's production of Bertolt Brecht's “Mann ist Mann” (Man is Man). Since completing his acting studies in 2025, Weileder has been a member of the ensemble at the Münchner Residenztheater.
DITMAR WUNDER
Role: Manfred
Known for: The Spawn (2023), Not Worth A Bullet (2010); German voice for Daniel Craig, Adam Sandler und Don Cheadle
Ditmar Wunder has been working as an actor and voice artist for film, television, and audiobooks for many years. He is best known to a wide audience as the German dubbing voice of Daniel Craig, whom he has been voicing since Casino Royale. He also lends his voice to numerous actors and is firmly established in the German dubbing scene.
YUNIOR LEE CABADA
Role: Iko
Known for: Bleeding Love (2023), On the Name of the Father (2023)
Yunior Lee Cabada appeared in the pilot episode Bleeding Love and the short film On the Name of the Father, among others. In addition to his film work, he regularly appears in commercials.
SYLVIA MAYER
Role: Frau Marlies
Known for: Münter & Kandinsky (2023), Immenhof (2021)
Sylvia Mayer has appeared in series such as German daily soap Sturm der Liebe and Hubert ohne Staller, among others. She completed her acting training at the Bavarian Academy of Performing Arts and supplemented this with programs at the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Los Angeles.
NYAMANDI ADRIAN
Role: Aza
Known for: Deine Farbe, Sam – Ein Sachse
Nyamandi Adrian has won several awards for his performance in the film Deine Farbe (Your Color) and appeared in the series Sam – Ein Sachse (Sam – A Saxon) on Disney Plus. He completed his acting training at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. In addition to his work in front of the camera, he also performs regularly on the theater stage.
KILIAN LAND
Role: Olaf
Known for: Der Sukkubus (2017), Altes Land (2020), Der Prank (2024)
Kilian Land was not only active as an actor in front of the camera, but also appeared on various renowned theater stages. He was a member of the ensemble at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden and the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus before moving to the Bühnen Bern. He completed his acting training at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig.
SYNOPSIS
Into the Black Night – David, in his early twenties, still lives with his father in an idyllic German village. After the end of his relationship and several failed attempts to leave the village, David feels lost and unsure of what to do with his life. His father treats him with coldness and subtle contempt for his inactivity.
At the same time, Iko arrives in the village after a traumatic escape. Injured and exhausted, he struggles through the well-kept surroundings, where he is perceived as a outsider. When Iko and David meet by coincidence, David feels compassion and decides to hide Iko in his parents’ barn.
A cautious closeness develops between the two young men. Iko tells of his escape, and his hope for a new life in northern Europe. David sees in Iko a fascinating counterpoint to his own passivity. At the same time, he is unsettled by the fear of the consequences should Iko’s presence be discovered.
Meanwhile, the village is unsettled by a series of mysterious incidents. The half-timbered houses of the village are covered with a mysterious symbol that keeps reappearing. The window of the village church is destroyed overnight. Rumors of burglaries and sabotage spread.
Under the leadership of successful lawyer Mrs. Marlis, a group of villagers forms to restore order and security. The mood shifts, mistrust and aggression rise.
One evening, the entire village experiences a blackout. The group around Mrs. Marlies is convinced that a hostile force is behind it all. In the darkness of the blackout, a manhunt begins throughout the village. Iko is eventually discovered and becomes the target of the village community. David is faced with the decision of whether to stand by Iko or join the community. At the moment of confrontation, David fails: instead of protecting Iko, he remains passive and abandons him.
Iko manages to escape, injured, and disappears into the dark. After Iko’s escape, the power comes back on and it becomes clear that the blackout was caused by a technical defect.
David is left tormented by guilt and realizes that he let his friend down out of fear of taking a stand. Now he has to decide whether to fearfully look elsewhere or finally stand by his friend.