Fog in August

Fog in August (German: Nebel im August) is a 2016 German drama film directed by Kai Wessel[1] and based on the 2008 novel Fog in August by Robert Domes.[2] It was listed as one of eight films that could be the German submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards, but it was not selected.[3]

Fog in August
Film poster
Directed byKai Wessel
Written byRobert Domes
Holger Karsten Schmidt
StarringSebastian Koch
Release date
  • 29 September 2016 (2016-09-29)
CountryGermany
LanguageGerman

Plot

A Yenish boy named Ernst Lossa is transferred to a mental institution, where he labors under the watch of Dr. Veithausen. Ernst, initially identified as a troublemaker, lives up to his role and frequently rebels in minor ways. He does not plan to stay in the institution long, but expects to be taken home (and eventually to America) by his father, Christian Lossa, but is denied discharge based on the fact that his father has no permanent address after being released from a concentration camp.

Initially, certain patients in the hospital are marked to be sent to the Hadamar Euthanasia Centre, where they are euthanized, but central authorities dictate that the euthanasia operation and decisions be transferred to individual institutions, leaving Dr. Veithausen to direct his nurses to execute patients under their care. The newly hired nurse, Sister Kiefer, has transferred from Hadamar and is willing to exterminate child patients using barbiturates. Meanwhile Sister Sophia tries to protect the children from being poisoned.

Ernst befriends Nandl, a fellow patient, and over time they become aware of Dr. Veithausen's plans to execute the patients in the institution. He attempts to work out an escape plan to save Nandl and himself. The doctor, following the logic of racial hygiene, devises a plan to starve patients slowly by feeding them boiled vegetable soup with all nutrients removed, which satisfies his Nazi superiors. Not long after, Ernst plans his escape during an air raid, but he fails when a bomb drops nearby and the falling debris injures Nandl and kills Sister Sophia. After the nurse's funeral, Ernst accuses Veithausen of being a murderer.

Dr. Veithausen calls for Ernst's death, which is carried out by either Paul Hechtle or Sister Kiefer (both deny being the killer). Nandl breaks the news to the other patients by claiming that Ernst has finally made it to America.

Cast

References
  1. "StudioCanal to sell Nazi euthanasia drama 'Fog In August'". Screendaily. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  2. "Nebbia in agosto. La vera storia di Ernst Lossa, che lottò contro il nazismo". IBS.it (in Italian).
  3. Roxborough, Scott (3 August 2016). "'Toni Erdmann,' 'Fritz Bauer' Among German Oscar Hopefuls". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  4. "Nebel im August (2016)". IMDb. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  5. "Sebastian Koch Shines a Light on 'Fog In August'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
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