The German Lesson

Set in a small village in northern Germany, this drama explores the tension between official duty and personal morality during and after the Second World War. The story follows Siggi Jepsen, who, while held in a juvenile detention center, is tasked with writing an essay on the joys of duty. This assignment triggers memories of his childhood and his father, a police officer strictly devoted to his professional obligations. During the war, the father is ordered to enforce a painting ban against his childhood friend, an expressionist artist. Young Siggi finds himself caught between his father's rigid adherence to the law and his own desire to protect the artist and his work.

The film was directed by Christian Schwochow, following his 2014 project Open the Wall and preceding Munich - The Edge of War and Je suis Karl, both released in 2021. The screenplay was written by Heide Schwochow. The cast features Ulrich Noethen, Tobias Moretti, Levi Eisenblätter, Tom Gronau, Johanna Wokalek, and Sonja Richter. Produced by ZDF, Senator Film, and Network Movie, the movie earned 1 million USD at the worldwide box office. Audiences gave the film a rating of 6.8/10 on IMDb based on 1,600 votes and a 6.6/10 on TMDB from 57 votes.