Netflix unveils new German film about migrant rescue operation

A new Netflix film is in production inspired by the true story of the German NGO Jugend Rettet and its ship, the Iuventa, which rescued thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean before it was seized by Italian authorities in 2016.

The currently untitled film depicts the journey of a group of young Berliners who cannot stand by and watch as countless refugees lose their lives trying to reach Europe by sea. They launch a crowdfunding campaign to buy an old ship and head to the sea to rescue migrants.

Netflix gave a first glimpse of its leading actor Louis Hofmann on Wednesday after a successful production start in Berlin. The film is currently being shot in Malta.

In addition to main actor Louis Hofmann, the cast also includes Mala Emde, Katharina Stark, Frederick Lau, Maria Dragus, Trevor Magaya, Kathy Etoa, Felice, Saibon Wang, Joone Dankou, Merlin von Garnier, Luisa-Céline Gaffron and Omid Memar.

The film was directed by Markus Goller and the screenplay was written by Oliver Ziegenbalg in collaboration with Michele Cinque. The Oscar winners Christian Goldbeck and Volker Bertelmann were hired for production design and music (the winning team from Things are quiet on the Western Front), with Frankie DeMarco coordinating the camera work.

The producers Christopher Zwickler with Flute Film and Markus Goller and Oliver Ziegenbalg with their Sunnysideup film production are responsible for the production.