German Currents Kino: 'Rabiye Kurnaz Vs. George W. Bush'

This screening is made possible with the support of the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles and is part of the Kino! Germany Now! Film Series.

Director: Andreas Dresen | Runtime: 119 minutes | Year: 2022 | Rating: Unrated | Country: Germany / France | Languages: German, Turkish w/ English subtitles, English| Fiction Genre: Fiction

About the film:
October 2001. Bremen, Germany. For Rabie Kurnaz (Kaptan), a loving wife and mother, her close-knit Turkish-German immigrant family is the center of her world. Shortly after her oldest son Murat (Öztürk) goes missing, the Kurnaz’ learn that he has been arrested in Pakistan, detained without trial and sent to the Guauntanomo Bay Detention Camp as a suspected terrorist. Rabiye immediately springs into action, but soon finds herself alone and out of her depth. Things change for the dedicated, albeit impulsive and impatient Rabiye, when she finds Bernhard Docke (Scheer), a level-headed human rights lawyer, who takes on her case. Together, the two find themselves enmeshed in global politics as they battle for the release of her son, all the way to the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Veteran filmmaker Andreas Dresen skillfully directs Kaptan’s award-winning blend of drama and humor in her portrayal of the real Rabiye Kurnaz. Laila Stieler’s award-winning screenplay captures Kurnaz’ determination and dedication to her family and justice.