Murder at opening: art scene shaken, who is the killer?

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An exciting crime film from Germany 2022 that uncovers a murder during an opening in Zurich.

Ein spannender Kriminalfilm aus Deutschland 2022, der während einer Vernissage in Zürich einen Mord aufdeckt.
An exciting crime film from Germany 2022 that uncovers a murder during an opening in Zurich.

Murder at opening: art scene shaken, who is the killer?

On June 26, 2025, an exciting crime thriller will be broadcast on BR Fernsehen Deutschland. At 10:00 p.m., viewers can look forward to the feature film “Art and Death,” which was produced in 2022. The story takes us into the world of art and amazing twists. At a vernissage in Zurich, the main character, Thomas Borchert, played by Christian Kohlund, finds a corpse right in front of his gallery. The murdered art patron and organizer, Stephan Altweger, is found shot in the courtyard. ARD Mediathek reports that the surrounding conflicts and intrigue in the art world ensure that this case is anything but easy to solve.

The plot develops rapidly. Borchert is drawn into the defense of caterer Giovanni Lazzari, whose wild gestures and illegal possession of a pistol put him in the line of fire. But rather than being a simple perpetrator, Borchert suspects that Lazzari is not the actual murderer, but is still a piece of the puzzle that needs to be solved. He is supported by Dominique Kuster, who is played by Ina Paule Klink. Both characters try to uncover the secrets surrounding Altweger and those around him, including the involvement of his wife Sandra and his nephew Stephan, which also come into focus.

Insights into crime

The captivating crime plot in some ways reflects current developments in the field of crime. According to an analysis by Statista, the Federal Criminal Police Office's police crime statistics show a decrease in crime of 1.7% in 2024. This could be partly due to the partial legalization of cannabis, but the public's perception of safety remains impaired.

In Germany, the number of non-German suspects rose to 41.8%, while the crime clearance rate is 58%. Crimes such as murder and manslaughter only make up a small part of overall crime, which also underlines the drama of the plot in “Art and Death”, which is about much more than just murder.

A film with many facets

The quality of the film is reflected not only in the gripping story, but also in the cast and direction. Director Roland Suso Richter and screenwriter Robert Hummel have created a work that appeals to both crime fiction and art lovers. In addition to Kohlund, co-stars such as Clelia Sarto, Michele Cuciuffo and Julia Richter also shine in their roles. Corinna Riemer's portrait photography, which plays a central role, shows how art and crime are intertwined.

A murder, intrigue, a secret and attentive observations – “Art and Death” promises to give viewers an exciting evening. Remember not to miss the broadcast date on February 11, 2025!

Stay tuned and follow the gripping twists and turns in this fascinating criminal case, which brings us closer to the world of art and the dark side of the human psyche.