Munich, 1962: A 12-year-old girl goes to court. She takes the courageous step to suing the very person who should protect her: Her father. She insists on telling her story in her own way, leaving the „unspeakable“ unsaid.

KARLA is the powerful true story, of the first known case in Germany where a child sued their abusive parent. The real Karla helped in the making of the book behind the film. Told with great sensitivity and atmospheric cinematography, the film stars Rainer Bock („The White Ribbon“), Imogen Kogge („The Zone of Interest“) and introduces Elise Krieps.

  • Director

    Christina Tournatzès

  • Version

    OV: German
    Subtitles: English

  • Produced by

    Jamila Wenske | Melanie Blocksdorf
    (Achtung Panda! Media GmbH)

  • Screenplay

    Yvonne Görlach

  • DOP

    Florian Emmerich

  • Cast

    Elise Krieps | Rainer Bock | Imogen Kogge | Torben Liebrecht | Katharina Schüttler

  • Genre

    Drama

  • Running Time

    105 min.

  • Release

    Eksystent Filmverleih
    October 2, 2025

  • Festivals

    Munich International Film Festival | Five Lakes Filmfestival

  • Awards

    Munich International Film Festival 2025 - German Cinema New Talent Award (Best Director: Christina Tournatzés, Best Screenwriter: Yvonne Görlach) | 55th ACS National Awards - Gold Tripod Award (Florian Emmerich)

  • Year

    2025

  • Status

    Market Premiere

  • Distribution Support

    Qualifies for German Films Distribution Support

credits not contractual

”a film that lingers long after the credits roll, directed with cinematic intelligence, a big heart, and deep admiration for its heroine”

Erol Afşin, Jan-Ole Gerster and Liliane Amuat (Jury at Munich International Film Festival)