_Disappointingly shallow_ In Germany, there are serious concerns regarding the increase of neo-Nazis and their growing influence within society. It’s no longer as straightforward to identify them; unlike in the Nineties when they were easily recognized as skinheads, now they appear more integrated and sophisticated. Between 2000 and 2007, a group consisting of two men and one woman carried out killings of ten people, including nine immigrants—eight with Turkish or Kurdish backgrounds and one person of Greek descent—as well as one German police officer. For some time, authorities, the media, and the public incorrectly attributed these murders to organized crime involving Turkish individuals, suggesting they were linked to drug trafficking or prostitution based on the fact that all victims were killed with the same weapon and had connections to Turkey. The truth – that a neo-Nazi group was responsible—only emerged in 2011, not as a result of diligent police work. Fatih Akin, the writer and director of _Aus dem nichts_, is known for his political views and outspokenness. Born in Hamburg to Turkish parents who immigrated to Germany during its economic boom, he identifies as a German-Turk. While most of his films are set and funded in Germany, he considers himself a filmmaker representing Turkish cinema, even accepting an award at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival “on behalf of Turkish cinema.” He previously sparked controversy when photographed wearing a t-shirt with "BU卐H" printed on it—a shirt that displayed a swastika replacing the 'S' in Bush. Though displaying a swastika is illegal in Germany, Akin defended his actions, arguing that the shirt was intended as political commentary and an ironic critique of President Bush’s policies, which he compared to those of Nazi Germany. While Akin often addresses broader issues, his primary focus lies on the experiences of Turkish immigrants in Germany and the racism they frequently encounter. Despite uncertainty about the exact number—German censuses don't record ethnicity—estimates suggest there are around 7 million Turks or people identifying as such living in Germany. With a population like that, conflicts are inevitable, and Akin has consistently explored this theme throughout his filmography, from _Solino_ to _Auf der anderen Seite_. _Nichts_, co-written with Hark Bohm, initially doesn't seem to fit this pattern. The story follows Nuri Sekerci (Numan Acar), a former drug dealer, and his son, who are killed in a bombing. His wife, Katja (Diane Kruger), initially trusts the legal system to find those responsible but later decides to take matters into her own hands. This premise could easily have been adapted into a generic Hollywood revenge film. However, the fact that Nuri is Turkish and the police suspect a connection to neo-Nazis aligns it with Akin’s established body of work. Ultimately, however, the film doesn't quite succeed. The movie is structured unnaturally into three distinct acts—"The Family," "The Trial," and "The Sea"—each introduced with home-movie footage. The acts don't flow well together; one section portrays grief, another a courtroom drama, and a third an investigation of revenge. While the pacing in the first and last acts is similar, the middle act feels rushed and disjointed. Despite this, I was initially inclined to give it three stars as it’s reasonably entertaining. However, the ending significantly detracts from its value. The film largely avoids directly confronting political themes; the neo-Nazi storyline receives minimal attention—a few mentions by police early on, a single scene in the courtroom portion, and a couple of brief appearances later. As Katja is the only character with any agency, the other characters involved in the Neo-Nazi plot are essentially background figures. Instead of exploring racism or Right-Wing Populism, it functions primarily as a revenge story. The film concludes with an on-screen statistic detailing the number of race crimes committed against Turks in Germany annually—a statement that feels unearned and jarring given the storyline’s lack of focus on those issues. This final addition trivializes the problem by attempting to connect it to a movie where it barely registered, leaving a disappointing impression.

Source on TMDB