Post Empire (2023)

A raw German neo-noir thriller following a drug courier whose chance encounter with a stranger sends him spiraling into flight, violence, and unexpected transformation.

Post Empire - Movie Information

  • Original Title: POST EMPIRE
  • Release Year: 2023
  • Directed by: Günther Franke
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama, Action, Thriller
  • Runtime: 1h 43m
  • Original Language: German
  • Spoken Languages: German
  • Release Date (Theatrical): April 17, 2023 (Germany - 18)
  • Production Companies: Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB)
  • Production Countries: Germany

Post Empire - Plot

Drug courier Sal has the war in him. When he meets the charismatic Sasha, his life goes off the rails and he botches an important coup. They flee together and Sal undergoes an astonishing metamorphosis.

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Post Empire - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Günther Franke

Main Cast

  • Daniel Sträßer
  • Annina Walt
  • Gerdy Zint
  • Susann Mertz
  • Johanna Ingelfinger
  • Malik Blumenthal
  • Eugen Feihe
  • Nico Ehrenteit
  • Mark Kleuskens
  • Gabrielle Scharnitzky

Writers

  • Josa Sesink
  • Günther Franke

Producers

  • Christopher Kane
  • Simon Lubinski
  • Ingmar Trost

Post Empire - FAQs

Who are the main actors in Post Empire?

Daniel Sträßer leads the cast as Sal, the drug courier at the story's center. He's joined by Annina Walt as Lucy, Susann Mertz as Sascha, Gerdy Zint as Gerdy, and Johanna Ingelfinger as Jenny, among others rounding out this gritty Berlin underworld ensemble.

What is Post Empire about?

Post Empire follows Sal, a drug courier carrying deep inner violence, whose world is turned upside down when he meets the magnetic Sasha. After botching a critical job, the two go on the run together — and Sal begins a remarkable, unexpected transformation along the way.

What does Sal's transformation mean in Post Empire?

Sal's metamorphosis is the emotional core of the film. Trapped in a violent criminal world, his encounter with Sasha cracks something open in him. The film uses their fugitive journey to explore identity, escape, and whether someone shaped by violence can genuinely change — without offering easy answers.

What genre is Post Empire?

Post Empire sits squarely in neo-noir territory, blending Drama, Action, and Thriller elements. It draws on classic noir traditions — a criminal on the run, a fateful encounter, moral ambiguity — while grounding everything in a distinctly contemporary Berlin setting.

Who directed Post Empire and who wrote it?

Günther Franke directed Post Empire and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Josa Sesink. Franke also served as editor alongside Maximilian Duwe, making this a deeply personal, hands-on project. The film was produced through the Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB).

When was Post Empire released?

Post Empire had its German release on April 17, 2023. The film was produced through the prestigious Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB), Germany's leading film school, which has a strong tradition of nurturing bold, distinctive cinematic voices.

What are similar movies to Post Empire?

If Post Empire's neo-noir intensity appeals to you, check out Collateral (2004), Sicario (2015), Get Carter (1971), and Atomic Blonde (2017) for that same pulse of criminal tension. Berlin Alexanderplatz (2020) and The White Storm 2: Drug Lords (2019) also share its gritty underworld atmosphere.

How long is Post Empire?

Post Empire runs for 103 minutes — just over an hour and forty minutes. It's a tight, focused runtime that suits the film's relentless neo-noir pacing, keeping the tension coiled throughout Sal and Sasha's increasingly desperate flight through the criminal underworld.

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