In The Fade

           Written and directed by Fatih Akin, this new German foreign language film is sadly based on incidents taking place worldwide everywhere that hate and prejudice continue to fester. 

          It is the story of Katja, a German woman, who's husband and son are killed by a bomb at the onset of the film. It's a difficult but important story anchored by an incredible performance.

           Katja is played by Diane Kruger, who is simply amazing in the role. Her grief, anger, guilt and all the emotions tumbling around in her head in the aftermath are brutally honest. Every note of her performance is raw and her outrage and hatred is so intense, the audience is on edge wondering how this will all play out. 

          What the police initially believe is drug related violence, turns out to be something far more sinister, when it is discovered the people responsible are a neo-nazi group targeting minorities in Germany (Katja's husband is Turkish). The film parallels an episode of Law & Order, first the crime and then the trial but the consequences are unexpected and the drama far exceeds anything done on a weekly TV show.

          The title of the film is taken from a song by Josh Homme (who composed the music for the film). It represents Katja's state of being after the bombing. Ms. Kruger has done fine work in many American movies and television shows (find "The Bridge" on Fox demand or Netflix) but this represents a new high for her in her native German.