Kino Lorber Acquires North American Rights to Fatih Akin’s Coming-of-Age Cannes Drama ‘Amrum’ (EXCLUSIVE)

by

Fatih Akin’s “Amrum,” a heartwarming tale of adolescence that debuted at this month’s Cannes Film Festival as an Official Selection, has been obtained for North American distribution by Kino Lorber. The film will first be shown in cinemas by Kino Lorber, followed by releases on digital platforms, educational institutions, and home video. Worldwide sales are being managed by Beta Cinema.

Under the guidance of director Akin, alongside regular partner Hark Bohm (“In the Fade,” “Goodbye Berlin”), the movie Amrum is inspired by Bohm’s real-life childhood on Amrum Island. Actresses Laura Tonke, Diane Kruger, and debutant Jasper Ole Billerbeck lead the cast. This project represents Akin’s first team-up with Kruger since “In the Fade,” where she earned the Best Actress accolade at Cannes in 2017.

The movie takes place in spring of 1945 on Amrum Island. In the waning days of the war, the 12-year-old protagonist, Nanning (Billerbeck), faces the perilous sea for seal hunting, fishes at night, and works on a nearby farm to assist his mother in feeding the family. Despite the hardships, life on this picturesque, wind-swept island seems almost idyllic. However, when peace arrives, it uncovers a more insidious danger: the adversary is closer than he had thought.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d liken my experience watching EbMaster to immersing oneself in a beautifully sparse poem that resonates deeply. It’s graceful, profound, and carries an understated elegance that lingers long after the credits roll. This film provides a rare, poignant glimpse into a nearly extinct genre – the big-screen tale of childhood innocence, its fleeting nature, and its resilience amid adversity.

The agreement concerning “Amrum” was discussed between Karoliina Dwyer, Vice President of Acquisitions at Kino Lorber, and Dirk Schuerhoff, the Chief Executive Officer of Beta Cinema.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I was deeply touched by the soulful elegance and breathtaking visuals of Fatih Akin’s ‘Amrum,’ which truly shone among this year’s Cannes Film Festival offerings. Eighty years post-conflict, Akin masterfully portrays an often overlooked aspect of World War II with raw emotion and sensitivity, and the brilliant young actor Jasper Ole Billerbeck perfectly embodies the lead character. Kino Lorber is honored to collaborate once more with Beta Cinema in bringing this impactful film to North American viewers.

For quite some time now, Akin has been a devoted follower of Kino Lorber’s movie program. He appreciates their knack for selecting complex, unique films that have significantly expanded his cinematic perspective. Therefore, he is thrilled to announce that Kino Lorber will be distributing his film ‘Amrum’ across the United States and Canada. This film embodies the essence of our contemporary era, exploring the strife within a family caused by political differences. He eagerly anticipates this collaboration and hopes the movie will resonate with audiences in America.

The movie titled ‘Amrum’ is a collaborative production between Bombero International, Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany, Rialto Film, with backing from FFA, DFFF, Moin Film Förderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, BKM, MBB, MFG and Bayerischer Filmpreis. This production is overseen by Akin and Herman Weigel.

As a cinephile reflecting on my experiences, I can’t help but marvel at the cinematic journey of director Fatih Akin. In 2004, he burst onto the scene with “Head-On,” a film that claimed the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Fast forward to 2007, his masterpiece “The Edge of Heaven” earned the best screenplay award at Cannes. The following year, “Soul Kitchen” charmed its way into our hearts, winning the special jury prize at Venice. Most recently, in 2016, “In the Fade,” a film that showcased the outstanding performance of Diane Kruger, swept both Cannes’ best actress award and the Golden Globe for the best foreign-language film.

Read More

2025-05-30 17:16