Kristallnacht: Clive Owen Stars in New Historical Thriller Set for Global Release

International Film Trust Closes Pre-Sales for ‘Kristallnacht‘

International Film Trust (IFT) has secured pre-sales at the American Film Market for the historical thriller Kristallnacht, directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, known for The Counterfeiters. The film will feature Clive Owen, Alex Pettyfer, and Karl Markovics.

Wild Bunch has obtained distribution rights for Germany and Italy, while YouPlanet will handle Spain. Additional deals include Monolith/Blitz for Eastern Europe, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Spentzos for Greece, Red Cape Distribution for Israel, Pris Audiovisuais for Portugal, and MGN/Paradise for the CIS.

Kristallnacht, meaning Night of Broken Glass, refers to the destruction of Jewish properties by Nazis in November 1938.

The film is set in Berlin before World War II. It tells the story of a police officer, Kai Lehmann (played by Pettyfer), who faces turmoil after the assassination of a German attaché in Paris. Nazi propaganda labels it as a “Jewish terrorist attack.” Alongside his superior, Lieutenant Krützfeld (played by Owen), Lehmann witnesses citizens turning violently against Jewish neighborhoods.

Markovics portrays Isaac Roth, a Jewish man wrongly accused of murder during the chaos. Krützfeld and Lehmann struggle with a moral choice: support the system or stand for justice.

Michael Benaroya, CEO of Benaroya Pictures, is producing the film. Benaroya Pictures and Dor Film will co-finance the U.S.-Austrian co-production. Principal photography is set to start in early 2025 in Austria. Additional producers include Danny Krausz from Dor Film, Marcelo Gandola, and Daniel Zuta. Ben Sachs, Seth Renshaw, Gregory McLachlan, and Florian Krügel are executive producers.

IFT President of Sales, Christian de Gallegos, expressed enthusiasm for the reputable distribution partners involved in this significant story.