Clive Owen to Lead Stefan Ruzowitzky’s Historical Thriller ‘Kristallnacht’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Oscar nominee Clive Owen (“Children of Men,” “Closer”) is set to play a police office in Germany on the brink of WWII in historical thriller “Kristallnacht.”

The feature — being launched at the American Film Market by International Film Trust — comes from Oscar-winning filmmaker Stefan Ruzowitzky (“The Counterfeiters,” “Barbarians”), who will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with Julius Grützke, based on an original script by Jonathan Frank and Scott Mann.

“Kristallnacht” was announced by Michael Benaroya, the CEO of Benaroya Pictures and co-founder of International Film Trust, who will serve as producer alongside Marcelo Gandola and Daniel Zuta.

Based on a true story, “Kristallnacht” is set in Berlin on the eve of war and follows police lieutenant Wilhelm Krützfeld (Owen) over the course of 24 hours as he navigates a city turned into a powder keg. Following the assassination of a German attaché in Paris, which is wrongfully labeled a “Jewish terrorist attack” by Nazi propaganda, the people turn on the perceived “enemy within” and violently descend on Jewish neighborhoods and places of worship. As the city spirals into chaos and dozens of innocent people are murdered, orders are handed down to “let the people riot.” Krützfeld is faced with the moral choice between upholding the system or taking a stand.

“This is a movie about the mechanics of a genocide: In the so-called Kristallnacht, a somewhat vague antisemitism turned into violence, looting, murder, paving the way to Auschwitz,” Ruzowitzky said in a statement. “But ‘Kristallnacht’ is also the true story of constable Wilhelm Krützfeld, one of the few Germans who stood up against evil and injustice, proving that everyone can defy doom. It takes an intact moral compass and a little bit of courage.”

Added Benaroya: “The moment we were brought this true story, we knew it was going to be an important film. And as we went through multiple drafts over the years, Krützfeld’s heroic actions only became more and more relevant to our times. Partnering with Stefan and Clive feels like the perfect culmination in our extensive efforts to tell the unflinching story of a man who risked everything to preserve his humanity in a world gone mad.”

Benaroya Pictures and Dor Film are co-financing the U.S.-Austrian co-production with principal photography set to begin in early 2025 in Austria. Ben Sachs, Seth Renshaw and Gregory McLachlan are executive producing for Benaroya Pictures, and Florian Krügel for Dor Film. Cinelaunch co-founder Chris K. Daniels also serves as an EP.

Benaroya’s sales agency, International Film Trust (IFT), is representing worldwide rights and sales president, Christian de Gallegos, will be on the ground in Las Vegas introducing the project to distributors at the AFM.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Stefan again,” said producer Krausz. “This important story is a perfect fit for him to direct, and we are grateful to get to work with Michael to help bring it to the big screen.” 

Owen is repped by Jim Darmody at CAA. Ruzowitzky is repped by Andrew Cannava at UTA.