Prosecution

Staatsschutz

Germany | 2026 | 113 min

Language: German, Korean

Subtitles: English

Not for persons under 12

Director(s): Faraz Shariat

Script: Claudia Schaefer

Cast: Chen Emilie Yan, Julia Jentsch, Alev Irmak, Kotbong Yang, Arnd Klawitter, Sebastian Urzendowsky, Petra Hartung, Kathrin Angerer, Mercy Dorcas Otieno, Benjamin Radjaipour, Max Krause, Jonathan Kempf, Lasse Klene, Alain Kappel, Jörg Westphal, Susanne Bredehöft, Marie Rosa Tietjen, Marc Fischer, Markus Friedmann, Mai-Phuong Kollath, Raphael Westermeier, Béla Gábor Lenz, Sven Seeburg

Production: Jünglinge Film

Distribution: New Europe Film Sales

Drama | Thriller

Society Sense of Danger Identity Psychological (Mis)use of Power

New Voices

Screenings:

Young and ambitious state prosecutor of Korean descent, Seyo Kim (Chen Emilie Yan) works in the German court system, famed for its principle of neutrality. Seyo attempts to keep up this standard even in cases motivated by political causes and ideological hatred. When Seyo becomes the target of a racist hate crime herself, she begins to doubt the justice system. To aid in her legal case, she hires a known activist lawyer.

Dramatically stylised, the film starts off with a toned realism that begins to tilt towards a noir thriller as Seyo’s case progresses both in court and on the streets. In the last pictures, Seyo has turned into a leather-wearing vigilante who sparks fear in her enemies as she roams the streets in her bullet-proof car. Chen Emilie Yan makes a strong impression portraying how societal expectations and prejudices shape a young immigrant woman.

The film premiered in the Berlinale film festival where it won the Panorama Audience Award. This timely portrayal of current political and societal issues approaches its subject bluntly and stylistically, gripping its viewers.

Saara Tuusa

Updated 2026-07-30 17:30:10 UTC