STILLER

The classic novel by Max Frisch stars the multi-award-winning actors Albrecht Schuch and Paula Beer in the leading roles. It was directed by Stefan Haupt, who knew Max Frisch personally and discussed the film adaptation of STILLER with him.


STILLER celebrated its world premiere at the Munich Film Festival and will be released in cinemas across Germany on 30 October. Before the cinema release, there will be a literary cinema premiere in Berlin followed by a discussion with director Stefan Haupt. The discussion will focus on Max Frisch and his work.


During a train journey through Switzerland, American James Larkin White is arrested at the border. The accusation: he is Anatol Stiller, a sculptor who disappeared seven years ago and is wanted for his involvement in a dubious political affair. White denies his guilt and insists that he is not Stiller. To convict him, the public prosecutor asks Stiller's wife Julika for help. But even she is unable to identify him conclusively, although memories gradually reveal more and more about the couple's relationship. The prosecutor also has a surprising connection to the missing man. What exactly happened back then, and who is Stiller really?

Director Stefan Haupt (‘Zwingli’, ‘Der Kreis’), who also wrote the screenplay together with Alex Buresch (‘Kundschafter des Friedens’), has assembled an outstanding cast for the film adaptation of STILLER: Albrecht Schuch (‘All Quiet on the Western Front’, “Schachnovelle”), Paula Beer (‘Stella. Ein Leben’, ‘Roter Himmel’), Stefan Kurt (‘Die Nachbarn von oben’), Marie Leuenberger (‘Bis wir tot sind oder frei’) and Max Simonischek (‘Die Nachbarn von oben’).Stella. Ein Leben, Roter Himmel), Max Simonischek (Die Nachbarn von oben), Marie Leuenberger (Bis wir tot sind oder frei), Stefan Kurt (Sisi & Ich) and Sven Schelker (Der vermessene Mensch). Filming will take place until mid-December in Davos and Zurich, Switzerland, and in Munich and the surrounding area in Germany.

Max Frisch's novel ‘Stiller’ was published in 1954 by Suhrkamp Verlag, has sold millions of copies to date and been translated into 34 languages. ‘Stiller’ was Max Frisch's breakthrough as a novelist and was awarded prestigious literary prizes such as the ‘Großer Schillerpreis’ of the ‘Schweizerische Schillerstiftung’ and the ‘Wilhelm-Raabe-Preis’. The novel was also included in the ‘ZEIT-Bibliothek der 100 Bücher’ (ZEIT Library of 100 Books). Max Frisch (1911-1991) is one of the most important German-language writers of the 20th century. In addition to ‘Stiller,’ his works ‘Homo Faber’ and ‘Mein Name sei Gantenbein’ are particularly well known.

This exciting event is an absolute highlight for culture and film lovers as well as for audiences interested in literature and Max Frisch.

Berlin premiere of STILLER as part of Radioeins' Schönen Mittwoch (Beautiful Wednesday) based on the literary classic by Max Frisch, followed by a discussion with

• Stefan Haupt (director)
  
• Knut Elstermann (moderator and journalist)
  

Date: 22 October 2025
Start of event: 8:30 p.m.

(Language: German)