Ökozid (2020)
A gripping German courtroom drama set in 2034, where climate catastrophe forces a landmark legal reckoning at the International Court of Justice.
Ökozid - Movie Information
Ökozid - Plot
The consequences of the climate catastrophe are dramatic in 2034. Drought and floods destroy the livelihoods of millions of people. After the third storm tide in a row, the headquarters of the International Court of Justice in The Hague was evacuated. In a provisional interim building in Berlin, the climate catastrophe becomes the subject of legal proceedings. Two lawyers represent 31 countries of the global South, which are doomed to destruction without the support of the international community.
Ökozid - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Andres Veiel
Main Cast
- Edgar Selge
- Ulrich Tukur
- Nina Kunzendorf
- Friederike Becht
- Sven Schelker
- Martina Eitner-Acheampong
- Frank Röth
- Hans-Jochen Wagner
- Utsav Agrawal
- Alexander Yassin
Writers
- Andres Veiel
- Jutta Doberstein
Ökozid - FAQs
What is Ökozid about?
Ökozid is set in 2034, when climate catastrophe has devastated millions of lives through drought and floods. Two lawyers represent 31 nations of the Global South in a historic trial at a provisional International Court of Justice in Berlin, seeking accountability from the international community.
Is Ökozid based on a true story?
Ökozid is not based on a specific true story, but it draws heavily on real climate science and ongoing international debates about climate justice. Director Andres Veiel collaborated with legal and environmental experts to ground the fictional 2034 trial in plausible scientific and geopolitical realities.
Who directed Ökozid?
Ökozid was directed by Andres Veiel, a prominent German filmmaker and theater director known for his documentary and dramatic work. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Jutta Doberstein, shaping the film's blend of legal drama and climate-crisis urgency.
Who are the main actors in Ökozid?
The film stars Edgar Selge as Hans-Walter Klein, Ulrich Tukur as Victor Graf, Nina Kunzendorf as Wiebke Kastager, and Friederike Becht as Larissa Meybach. The ensemble cast also includes Sven Schelker, Martina Eitner-Acheampong, Frank Röth, Hans-Jochen Wagner, Utsav Agrawal, and Alexander Yassin.
What genre is Ökozid?
Ökozid blends Drama, Thriller, and Science Fiction. It functions primarily as a courtroom drama set in a near-future dystopia shaped by climate collapse, combining the tension of legal proceedings with speculative world-building rooted in current environmental and geopolitical concerns.
How long is Ökozid?
Ökozid has a runtime of 90 minutes, making it a tightly focused feature-length production. Originally broadcast as a television film on ARD, its compact running time keeps the courtroom drama intense and propulsive without sacrificing the weight of its subject matter.
What does the title Ökozid mean?
Ökozid is the German equivalent of 'ecocide,' a term referring to the large-scale destruction of ecosystems. The title directly references the legal concept at the heart of the film, where nations of the Global South seek to hold industrialized countries accountable for environmental devastation.
What are similar movies to Ökozid?
Viewers who enjoyed Ökozid may also appreciate The Day After Tomorrow (2004), The 11th Hour (2007), Eating Our Way to Extinction (2021), The Trick (2021), and Soil (2023). These films similarly explore climate crisis, environmental collapse, and humanity's relationship with the natural world.
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