Germany, shortly after World War II: As a prisoner of the concentration camps in Buchenwald, Lichtenburg, Esterwegen and Flössenburg, Carl Schrade experienced the atrocities of the Nazis at first hand. Now, the former jewelry dealer is to testify as a key witness for the prosecution before a war tribunal in order to put his tormentors behind bars. In the dock are SS men, NSDAP officials and Ilse Koch, the wife of the notorious concentration camp commander Karl Koch. The list of their inhuman crimes is long, the list of excuses and justifications almost longer. There is hardly any doubt about their guilt. But where from does Carl Schrade have this extensive knowledge of camp administration procedures and how did he survive in the camps for more than ten years?
The film is based on the memoirs of the actual Carl Schrade.
The Witness
Bernd Michael Lade
Born in 1964 in Berlin. Studied at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Art. Studied Directing at the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf. Active as an actor, director, screenwriter and producer.
1995 RACHE, Spielfilm
2001 NULL UHR 12, Spielfilm HOF 2001
2015 DAS GESTÄNDNIS, Spielfilm HOF 2015
2022 DER ZEUGE, Spielfilm HOF 2022