Classic filmmaker Fritz Lang is 'back' in cinemas

In the new film "Fritz Lang," which opens on April 14 in German cinemas, actor Heino Ferch portrays the famous director, who lived from 1890 to 1976. The new film focuses on the early 1930s. Lang had already become a well-known silent filmmaker with works like "Metropolis" and "The Nibelungen."

Director Gordian Maugg captures the most decisive years in Fritz Lang's life. The silent film era is drawing to a close and sound is conquering the world's cinemas. Lang is searching for material for his next films and stumbles upon the serial killer Peter Kürten, who is known throughout Germany. Kürten is played by Samuel Finzi (pictured right).

Another important figure in Maugg's film is detective Gennat, played by Thomas Thieme. In the film, Fritz Lang travels to Dusseldorf to do research for his first film with sound. There, he meets the detective looking for the murderer Peter Kürten. Lang is interested in the case - and Gennat also has a few questions for the filmmaker.

Director Gordian Maugg, seen here filming with lead actor Heino Ferch, unfolds on screen a complex mix of fact and fiction. He mainly sticks to well-researched truths about the filmmaker - but "Fritz Lang" is a feature film and not a documentary. It relies on scripted dialogue and acted scenes.

Until 1920, Fritz Lang was involved in a mysterious case of death himself. His wife died after being shot in the chest - while Lang and his lover at the time were in the apartment. The case was never resolved. Gordian Maugg draws on this situation in his film, which is set a decade later.

Though "Fritz Lang" is primarily a feature film, Gordian Maugg weaves in archive material and excerpts from Lang's own films - deliberately cross-fading the images in some scenes. Pictured here is both actor Samuel Finzi and Peter Lorre in Fritz Lang's film "M - A city looks for a murderer."

Fritz Lang's thriller "M - A city looks for a murderer" was released in 1931. Pictured here is a scene with the lead actor Peter Lorre. "M" was Lang's first film with sound and told the story of a child murderer. In the new film "Fritz Lang," Gordian Maugg suggests the theory that "M" was inspired by Lang's own personal biography.

Gordian Maugg's "Fritz Lang" is many things at once: It's a thriller in black-and-white, a homage to the work of a great filmmaker, and also an attempt to combine fiction with documentary, fantasy with reality. The complex interaction between the various layers in the film makes it challenging to watch. But the movie's fantastic black-and-white imagery and strong cast make it worthwhile.

"Fritz Lang" premiered in Dusseldorf on April 7 and opens in cinemas on April 14. Dusseldorf may have been chosen because the legendary serial killer Peter Kürten from the 1920s became known as the "Vampire of Dusseldorf." But more likely, Dusseldorf hosted the premiere because the state film foundation, Filmstiftung NRW, is located there. Pictured is director Maugg (left) with his team.