As many of you are german, this post will probably come as no news to you. This movie is not of latest freshness indeed, but it is only now that its DVD has been released that it will get a proper distribution in other countries - of course there are "the other usual channels", but i won't advocate them here (check the links...).
Anyway, here is a quick résumé for those who have not seen it:
"23" is inspired by a true story: the life of Karl Koch, a young german guy who was among the first hackers in the 80's. Koch lives with a friend thanks to the money of his deceased father (whom he always opposed) and is mad with
Anton Wilson's writings on
the conspiracy theory of the Illuminati. To put it short, the number 23 plays a central role in this theory, and "seems" to be behind every event of political/historical/whatever importance. During what appears to be an early
CCC convention, Koch finds someone with a similar interest in the person of Alex. The two join to become a fearsome team of hackers, ripping off everything they can, so much that one day, they grab the attention of some guys who convince them to work for the KGB. With easy money flowing in every month, Koch falls into a bad addiction for cocaine. The drug blurs the boundaries between reality and conspiracy, and Koch soon believes the Illuminati are after him...
And as a mean asshole, i won't tell you the end. :P
But you have to know that this movie is NOT about a global conspiracy. And despite the reviews that you might read online, that is exactly why it is great! Koch, who so strongly believes in obscure forces working on Thee Fate ov thee World does not realise that he is being manipulated by the KGB...
Apart from being well directed and played (August Diehl - the actor playing Karl Koch - received two prices for this role), the plot itself is more subtle than it seems, with details you actually spots on a second viewing (at least i did...). For instance, in the beginning of the movie, Karl argues with is father about the value of nuclear energy. And when his arguments are eventually proved right (with Chernobyl), his decay is already too advanced to let him realise that...
It is definitely a very good movie in my opinion. The DVD is just out now, unfortunately only in german, but english subtitles can be installed thanks to
this page and a little of DIY-spirit...
If any of you saw this movie, i would love to read your opinions. Meanwhile, have some links:
"23"'s IMDB page A bigger résumé and some pictures of the movie A rather nerdy yet impressive analysis of the hackers techniques featured in the movie www.hagbard-celine.de : a website in remembrance of the real Karl Koch
