With "Emil and the Detectives" Erich Kästner is revolutionizing children's book literature. In the Weimar Republic, he quickly rose as an editor, writer and screenwriter. His books were burned in 1933. Nevertheless, he does not emigrate, published under a pseudonym and abroad. In the post-war period, Kästner was a moral authority. But he can no longer build on his previous success, gets caught up in love affairs and fights his frustration with alcohol. Until his death in 1974, he struggled with the decision not to go into exile. The documentary drama takes a new look at Kästner's picture.
Director: Annette Baumeister
Cast: Matthias Bundschuh, Lisa Wagner, Clelia Sarto, Henriette Schmidt, Tomas Spencer, Daniel Nerlich, Cornelia Funke, Campino
With "Emil and the Detectives" Erich Kästner is revolutionizing children's book literature. In the Weimar Republic, he quickly rose as an editor, writer and screenwriter. His books were burned in 1933. Nevertheless, he does not emigrate, published under a pseudonym and abroad. In the post-war period, Kästner was a moral authority. But he can no longer build on his previous success, gets caught up in love affairs and fights his frustration with alcohol. Until his death in 1974, he struggled with the decision not to go into exile. The documentary drama takes a new look at Kästner's picture.
Sign in to track your movie progress
Directed by
Written by
Produced by
Sign in to rate and review


AI-curated picks that share the same spirit as Erich Kästner – Das andere Ich but with an unexpected twist — different era, country, tone, or perspective.
With "Emil and the Detectives" Erich Kästner is revolutionizing children's book literature. In the Weimar Republic, he quickly rose as an editor, writer and screenwriter. His books were burned in 1933…
54m
December 31, 2016
Annette Baumeister
Matthias Bundschuh, Lisa Wagner, Clelia Sarto
Documentary, Drama