Krabat

Krabat (David Kross), a 14-year-old orphan boy, starts work as an apprentice in a water mill in Koselbruch in 1646. However, this soon turns out to be a "black school" where the master (Christian Redl) instructs his twelve journeymen in the art of magic. The boy is initially fascinated by the dark power and makes friends with the other apprentices, especially the old journeyman Tonda (Daniel Brühl), who becomes his role model. But mysterious incidents accumulate in the mill, leading him to the revelation of a cruel secret. Krabat decides to free himself from the clutches of the master, no matter the cost.

Otfried Preussler's 1971 novel "Krabat," which formed the basis for the screenplay by Marco Kreuzpaintner and Michael Gutmann, is based on the Sorbian folk tale about the sorcerer's apprentice Krabat. Kreuzpaintner's film is the second live-action adaptation of the story, which was first filmed in 1975 under the title "Die schwarze Mühle" (The Black Mill) for GDR television. Preussler was particularly impressed with Kreuzpaintner's adaptation, which features a first-class ensemble of German actors, including David Kross, Daniel Brühl, Christian Redl, Tom Wlaschiha, and Anna Thalbach. "Marco Kreuzpaintner has actually managed the feat of doing justice to both the medium of film and my book," says Preussler. The Filmbewertungsstelle Wiesbaden awarded the film the rating "especially valuable."

Extras:
Audio commentary by director Marco Kreuzpaintner and cinematographer Daniel Gottschalk; Making-of: "Krabat"; Extra & alternative scenes: Alternative beginning of the film, The story of Pumphutt, The journey to Dresden; Interviews with director and actors: Marco Kreuzpaintner, David Kross, Daniel Brühl; Behind the scenes: Daniel Brühl on the film project, 17th-century wardrobe, magic on the computer; Original theatrical trailer.