THE COUNTERFEITERS

2008 Best foreign language picture




Fact based drama
In German with English subtitles

F.Y.I.
Collotype is a photographic process used for large volume mechanical printing before the existence of the cheaper and less complicated offset lithography method. The collotype plate is coated with a special dichromated gelatine and set at a controlled temperature then it has to be carefully washed and dried without heat for 24 hours before using it.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Karl Markovics: master forger 45-year-old Salomon “Sally” Sorowitsch
Devid Striesow: police superintendent Friedrich Herzog
August Diehl: left-wing activist and collotype specialist Adolf Burger

REVIEW
Some fine acting serves to keep this thriller moving along at a good clip. Shot in monochromatic greys, attention to detail is much in evidence. Unlike most movies about events that took place during World War II, this story is not that well known despite the fact it was the biggest operation of its kind ever. Given that it’s a thiller not too much more need be said.

CLASSIFICATION
for intense violence and some scenes of brief nudity.