Meet 9-year-old Benni: bright, charming and out of control. In the care system because of her violent outbursts, her own mother is afraid of her, and despite the attempts of a well-meaning team of care workers, nobody seems to be able to reach her.

All Benni really wants is to go home to her family, but as her rages intensify, this seems less and less likely. Hope comes in the form of school chaperone Micha, whose tough love and own troubled past help connect him with Benni.

Featuring a startling performance from Helena Zengel as Benni, this first feature is a disarming look at a child in trouble who is caught up in a system unable to cope.

Trailer

Film Details

System Crasher (Systemsprenger)
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
119 minutes | Germany, 2019, Cert: Club
Cast: Helena Zengel, Albrecht Schuch, Gabriela Maria Schmeide

Festivals

Berlin International Film Festival 2019, BFI London Film Festival 2019, Cork Film Festival 2019

Awards

Winner – Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize, Berlin International Film Festival 2019