Is racism still not taken seriously? - Hanau attacks documentary wins Hessian Film Award after Berlinale premiere
A powerful documentary tracing the aftermath of the 2020 Hanau attacks has won the Hessian Film Award after premiering at the 2025 Berlinale. The German People follows the families of the nine victims as they seek justice for a crime driven by far-right extremism. The film, directed by Marcin Wierzchowski, sheds light on their years-long struggle against what they describe as systemic indifference.
On February 19, 2020, a gunman killed nine people and injured six others in Hanau. All victims had migrant backgrounds—six with direct ties to Offenbach. Among them were five young men of Turkish or Greek origin, a Bosnian woman, and others from Hanau, Frankfurt, and Pakistan. The attacker, who later took his own life, left writings claiming his actions served the 'German people'.
Wierzchowski began filming within days of the attack. Recognising its racist motives, he documented the families' fight for recognition over nearly five years. Many relatives argued that authorities downplayed the crime's extremist roots. In response, they formed a working group to push for accountability and policy changes. The resulting documentary, *The German People*, premiered at the 2025 Berlinale before winning the Hessian Film Award. It later aired on 3sat on March 18 at 8:15 PM, bringing wider attention to the families' ongoing battle for justice.
The film's release has reignited discussions about racism and institutional responses to far-right violence in Germany. The victims' relatives continue to call for transparency and reforms. Their story, now preserved on screen, ensures the Hanau attacks—and their fight—remain in public memory.
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