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Paul Jannowski, the only $living cannonball” of the Eastern Bloc, was the superstar of the East German State Circus. But one day he dared to do the unthinkable: he shot himself across the Elbe to the West. He left love, friendships, and disappointment behind. Now, he looks back upon his adventurous life and plans one last coup. A portrait too good to be true.
Director
Writer
Status
Released
Original Language
DE

A German stage actor finds unexpected success and mixed blessings in the popularity of his performance in a Faustian play as the Nazis take power in pre-WWII Germany. As his associates and friends flee or are ground under by the Nazi terror, the popularity of his character supercedes his own existence until he finds that his best performance is keeping up appearances for his Nazi patrons.

In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.