Chess Story poster
Director Philipp Stölzl
Writer Eldar Grigorian

Chess Story

Original Title: Schachnovelle

Tagline: He turned resistance into a game

Release Date: 2021-09-23

Duration: 112 minutes

Synopsis

1938. While the Nazi troops march into Vienna, the lawyer Josef Bartok hastily tries to escape to the USA with his wife but is arrested by the Gestapo. Bartok remains steadfast and refuses to cooperate with the Gestapo that requires confidential information from him. Thrown into solitary confinement, Bartok is psychologically tormented for months and begins to weaken. However, when he steals an old book about chess it sets him on course to overcome the mental suffering inflicted upon him, until it becomes a dangerous obsession.

Casting

  • Oliver Masucci
    Dr. Josef Bartok
  • Rolf Lassgård
    Owen McConnor
  • Albrecht Schuch
    Franz-Josef Böhm
  • Albrecht Schuch
    Franz-Josef Böhm und Mirko Czentovic
  • Samuel Finzi
    Alfred Koller
  • Joel Basman
    Barkeeper Willem
  • Luisa-Céline Gaffron
    Fridl
  • Andreas Lust
    Johann Prantl
  • Birgit Minichmayr
    Anna Bartok
  • Johannes Zeiler
    Dr. Fink