Die Kinder aus Korntal

Filmstill The Children of Korntal

The Children of Korntal

Die Kinder aus Korntal
Julia Charakter
German Competition Documentary Film
Documentary Film
Germany
2023
90 minutes
German
Subtitles: 
English
World premiere

In Korntal, a small town of 9,000 souls in Baden-Württemberg, hundreds of children were abused in the homes of the Evangelical Brethren since the 1950s. Forced labour, physical punishment and sexualised violence were the order of the day. To date, more than 150 former children have broken their silence, more than 80 perpetrators have been identified. Because the latter covered for each other and the neighbours looked away, the children were defenceless against the abuse for decades. When the scandal was exposed in 2013, the community and the village were hostile at first: That which must not be cannot be. It was only when the pressure from the outside grew that the community initiated a process of dealing with the scandal. But it is controversial: victims are re-traumatised, their statements doubted. To this day the children from Korntal are fighting for investigation and compensation.

The film focuses on the victims and avoids all dramatisation. What happened was dramatic enough, after all. When testimonies are only played as audio-recordings to protect the speakers, a simple animation fills the visual gaps. When those responsible today speak, the camera stays restrained and does not judge. That is not necessary anyway, because the inconceivable relativisation of the crimes speaks loudly enough – in Korntal as elsewhere.


Luc-Carolin Ziemann

Contains mentions of child abuse, suicide, physical violence, sexual violence, torture

Screenings & Tickets DOK Leipzig Logo

11.10.
#322
CineStar 4
Die Kinder aus Korntal
During Checkout you can apply discounts, your accreditation or season passes
11.10.2023
CineStar 4
#322
Die Kinder aus Korntal
During Checkout you can apply discounts, your accreditation or season passes
Calendar
12.10.
#472
Regina Palast 1
Die Kinder aus Korntal
During Checkout you can apply discounts, your accreditation or season passes
12.10.2023
Regina Palast 1
#472
Die Kinder aus Korntal
During Checkout you can apply discounts, your accreditation or season passes
Calendar
15.10.
#7A1
Cinémathèque
Die Kinder aus Korntal
During Checkout you can apply discounts, your accreditation or season passes
15.10.2023
Cinémathèque
#7A1
Die Kinder aus Korntal
During Checkout you can apply discounts, your accreditation or season passes
Calendar

Credits DOK Leipzig Logo

Director
Julia Charakter
Script
Julia Charakter
Cinematographer
Jonas Eckert
Editor
Jonas Eckert, Julia Charakter
Producer
Birgit Schulz
Sound Design
Volker Ambruster
Score
Leonard Küßner
Animation
Mick Mahler

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Nominated for Goethe-Institut Documentary Film Prize, DEFA Sponsoring Prize, VER.DI Prize for Solidarity, Humanity and Fairness
Winner of DEFA Sponsoring Prize