Learn everything about: Sandra Hüller as Maren, Max Riemelt (Robert), and Ronald Zehrfeld (Volker), in Two to One (a reference to the exchange rate between East and West German marks, where two eastern marks equaled one western mark). This movie blends comedy, drama, and politics, inspired by a true story. Find out everything about Two to One.
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With a historical and political backdrop, the movie starts with a simple question: what would you do if you found a tunnel full of cash about to lose its value? After the fall of the Berlin Wall, a communist family from East Germany, Maren and Robert, discover a bunker stuffed with marks. With help from neighbors, their longtime friend Volker, an uncle who works for the German government (and knows the money’s location), and a clumsy treasurer, they embark on a race against time to exchange the cash and secure their future in the new capitalist system.
What’s the true story behind Two to One?
The movie is based on a true case from the 1990s, right after German reunification. According to reports, an anonymous group found a hidden tunnel filled with a fortune in old East German marks. During the transition period, GDR citizens could exchange eastern for western marks. The group managed to convert the cash before it became worthless, then disappeared without a trace—almost. The only clue left behind was a backpack with old banknotes and some uncirculated bills suddenly appearing in circulation.
Director Natja Brunckhorst revealed in an interview that she found the story in a single line of an old book: “All the eastern money was hidden in a tunnel.” From there, she crafted a plot with fictional characters and daring humor, blending justice, irony, and social critique.
Who is in the cast of Two to One?
- Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) as Maren
- Max Riemelt (Sense8) as Robert
- Ronald Zehrfeld (Beloved Sisters) as Volker
- Peter Kurth and Ursula Werner also star as the uncle and the treasurer
Who directs and writes the movie?
Natja Brunckhorst is the director and screenwriter of Two to One. Known first as an actress in Christiane F., she has since built an auteur career in German cinema. In this movie, she mixes humor and historical memory to turn an almost-forgotten case into a vivid, contemporary narrative.
When was Two to One released?
The movie had its world premiere in May 2024 as part of the official selection at the Munich International Film Festival and was also screened at the Chicago International Film Festival.
In 2025, the commercial release of this German movie in Brazil is already an event in itself. German comedies rarely make it to theaters here. Two to One breaks the rule: it’s funny, thought-provoking, and features a standout performance from Sandra Hüller. It’s worth seeing in a cinema near you. Currently, besides Brazilian theaters, it’s available on rental and purchase platforms, and soon it will be on Filmelier+.
Laughter as a disguise
With a script weaving justice, economic transition, and collective memory, Two to One manages to be political without being didactic, and funny without losing weight. It’s one of those movies that entertains but lingers, leaving lingering questions: Is it ever too late to start a revolution?
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