Berlin’s Best Detective Films

Description: This film, while primarily a comedy-drama, involves elements of a detective story as the son tries to shield his mother from the truth about the fall of the Berlin Wall, creating a fictional world to keep her from the shock.

Fact: The film was a major success in Germany, becoming one of the highest-grossing German films ever.

Description: While not exclusively set in Berlin, significant portions of this action-packed detective thriller take place in the city as Jason Bourne tries to uncover his past.

Fact: The film's Berlin scenes were shot in various locations, including the Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

Description: This film delves into the life of a Stasi officer who begins to question his role in spying on a playwright and his actress lover, set against the backdrop of East Berlin in the 1980s. It's a gripping tale of surveillance, morality, and the human spirit.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in

Description: While not strictly a detective film, this movie explores the rise and fall of the Red Army Faction, a militant group in West Germany, offering a detective-like investigation into the motivations and actions of its members.

Fact: The film was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Academy Awards. It was also one of the most expensive German films ever made.

Description: An Interpol agent and an American attorney track an arms dealer through Berlin, leading to a complex investigation into international finance and corruption.

Fact: The film features a memorable shootout scene at the Guggenheim Museum in Berlin.

Description: This film, while not a traditional detective story, involves elements of mystery and investigation as it explores the relationship between a young man and an older woman, later revealed to have been involved in the Holocaust.

Fact: Kate Winslet won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in this film.

Description: Liam Neeson stars as a man who wakes up from a coma in Berlin to find his identity has been stolen. This film is a thrilling detective story as he tries to unravel the mystery of his life.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Berlin, showcasing many of the city's iconic landmarks.

Description: A South Korean spy thriller set in Berlin, involving a North Korean agent who must navigate a complex web of espionage and betrayal. It's a high-stakes detective story with international intrigue.

Fact: It was the highest-grossing South Korean film in Germany at the time of its release.

Description: This film tells the true story of a counterfeiter who is forced to produce fake currency for the Nazis in a concentration camp. It's a detective story of survival and deception set in Berlin during World War II.

Fact: It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2008, making it the second German film in a row to win this award.

Description: Although more of a drama, this film features elements of a detective story as it follows a DJ's descent into drug addiction and his subsequent journey to redemption, set in Berlin's vibrant club scene.

Fact: The film's soundtrack became very popular, reflecting Berlin's electronic music scene.