05/08/2025 - The tragicomedy about a father-daughter relationship, set against a backdrop of conspiracy theories and societal collapse, is being filmed entirely in Leipzig

Back row, l-r: assistant director Sandrina Koppitz, producer Karl-Friedrich König, DoP Johannes Praus, writer-director-producer Tilman König, actress Carla von Bodelschwingh, location provider Gabi Obenaus and producer Martin Rohé; front row, l-r: extra Lou Petersohn, production coordinator Lisa Emele and actor Thorsten Merten (© Oto König)

Last week, the first clapperboard slammed on Der große Zusammenbruch (lit. “The Great Collapse”), the latest feature by German writer-director Tilman König. The tragicomedy explores themes of family, disillusionment and new beginnings, blending dark humour and social satire through the lens of personal and ideological upheaval.

Set in Leipzig, the story follows André, a jack of all trades and one of the so-called Wendeverlierer – losers of the post-reunification era – who scrapes by with a patchwork of odd jobs. His routine is disrupted when his teenage daughter Jana comes to stay for three weeks, forcing two estranged worlds under one roof as they initially fail to connect. Their uneasy coexistence takes an unexpected turn when André stumbles into a gathering of conspiracy theorists whose visions of an impending apocalypse trigger a chain of strange events. What begins as a clash between father and daughter gradually transforms into an unlikely journey of emotional reconnection, where the imagined end of the world opens the door to a genuine fresh start.

Leading the cast is Thorsten Merten (Curveball [+see also:
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König directs from his own screenplay and also serves as one of the producers. His previous works include the comedy The Black Nazi, and the documentaries Pastor Lothar Stops and Sour Strawberries. The cinematography is handled by Johannes Praus (The Family Approach), with production design by Karl-Friedrich König alongside André Kauper and Kaori Murata. The creative team also features editor Adrian Paul, Anna Kaczmarczyk taking care of costumes and make-up, and Frank Schubert and Christoph Fleischer in the sound department. Principal photography began in Leipzig on 24 July and is scheduled for 33 shooting days, wrapping on 2 September.

Der große Zusammenbruch is being produced by Tilman König and Karl-Friedrich König for Leipzig-based 2Könige Film (which is currently part of the MEDIAstart initiative of the MDM), together with Martin Rohé and Dietmar Güntsche, of Neue Bioskop Film Leipzig, in co-production with MDR within the framework of the FOKUS funding programme. Launched in 2024 by MDM and MDR, the FOKUS initiative supports distinctive stories rooted in Central Germany and aims to nurture emerging talent and strengthen local production companies in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

The programme provides up to €1 million per year, equally financed by MDM and MDR, to bring selected projects to life. Der große Zusammenbruch was among the first four features chosen for the programme in early 2025. The film also has backing from the MDM and the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF). Weltkino Filmverleih is attached to release it in German cinemas in 2026.