Effigy: Poison and the City

Effigy: Poison and the City
Effigy: Poison and the City
German	Effigie – Das Gift und die Stadt
Directed by	Udo Flohr
Written by	Peer Meter; Udo Flohr; Antonia Roeller;
Produced by	Patricia Ryan; Udo Flohr;
Starring	Suzan Anbeh; Elisa Thiemann; Christoph Gottschalch; Roland Jankowsky; Uwe Bohm;
Cinematography	Thomas Kist
Edited by	Sven Pape
Music by	Nic Raine with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
Production; company	GeekFrog Media
Distributed by	Nova Vento Entertainment (USA: theatrical);
Release dates	21 September 2019 (Filmfest Bremen); 9 October 2020 (USA);
Running time	85 minutes
Countries	Germany; USA;
Languages	German; English;

Effigy: Poison and the City (German: Effigie – Das Gift und die Stadt) is a 2019 historical thriller film about German 19th century female serial killer Gesche Gottfried, directed, co-written and co-produced by Udo Flohr, marking his directorial debut. The film is based on original trial records, as well as inspired by main screenwriter Peer Meter's stage play "The Interrogation of Gesche Gottfried".

The film had its world premiere at Filmfest Bremen on 21 September 2019.^[2]

Plot

1828 in the German port city of Bremen: Young Cato Böhmer arrives to take up her new position as a city clerk, assisting investigating judge Senator Droste at the criminal court. She strives to become an attorney – at a time when women aren't even admitted to universities. As the duo investigates an alleged poison attack reported by master miller Steitz, they encounter Gesche Gottfried, a suave and attractive widow known for her philanthropic attitude. Gottfried also appears to be in danger. However she soon turns out to be a prime suspect in a series of killings, the victims of which include her parents, her three husbands, her children and her twin brother, as well as friends and neighbors. While searching for evidence, Droste comes under increasing pressure from Bremen's bourgeoisie, especially Captain Ehlers who demands the senator's support for his steam shipping company. But Droste, like Mayor Johann Smidt, sees the future in the emerging railroad technology. Cato Böhmer is just barely able to fend off a political intrigue of the captain against her boss. Albeit with forensic proof of arsenic poisoning remaining elusive, she and the senator desperately need to obtain a confession from Gesche Gottfried.

Cast

Suzan Anbeh as Gesche Gottfried
Elisa Thiemann as Cato Böhmer
Christoph Gottschalch as Senator Droste
Roland Jankowsky as Captain Ehlers
Uwe Bohm as Kommissar Tonjes
Marc Ottiker as Dr. Hoffschläger
Eugen Krößner as Dr. Luce
Ulrich Sachsse as Mayor Johann Smidt
Christian Intorp as Müllermeister Steitz

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes Effigy: Poison and the City holds a "90% fresh" rating, based on 21 reviews, representing a positive response from critics. The site's critical consensus reads, "Deftly filmed by director Udo Flohr, Effigy: Poison and the City offers an absorbing glimpse of history that should satisfy period drama fans."^[3]

References

^ "Nova Vento Entertainment". Retrieved 16 November 2020.
^ Werner, Hendrik (20 September 2019). "Spielfilm über Bremer Giftmischerin: Arsen und Mäusebutter". Weser-Kurier. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
^ "Effigy: Poison and the City (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved July 10, 2023.

External links

Effigy: Poison and the City at IMDb
Effigy: Poison and the City at Rotten Tomatoes
"Review by Alan Ng". Film Threat. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2020.

[1] "Nova Vento Entertainment". Retrieved 16 November 2020.

[2] Werner, Hendrik (20 September 2019). "Spielfilm über Bremer Giftmischerin: Arsen und Mäusebutter". Weser-Kurier. Retrieved 15 November 2020.

[3] "Effigy: Poison and the City (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved July 10, 2023.

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