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Martin Compston

Actor
Scottish actor Martin Compston, born in 1984 in Greenock, began his career without formal acting training after previously being a professional soccer player. He made his debut in the lead role of Ken Loach's film *Sweet Sixteen* (2002). He became known to a wide international audience primarily for his portrayal of Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott in the BBC series *Line of Duty* (2012–2021). For his role in the film *The Wee Man* (2013), he was honored with a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor. His body of work also includes more recent productions such as the series *The Nest* (2020) and *The Rig* (2023).

Films

Sister

Sister

By Ursula Meier

2012 | 97 min | Crime

L’ENFANT D’EN HAUT follows a boy navigating poverty and survival—a precise social drama about dependency, responsibility, and fragile bonds.

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It Happened Just Before

It Happened Just Before

2006 | 72 min | Crime

The documentary deals with the global phenomenon of human trafficking. The stories of affected women are told by people who have no actual connection to the facts, but could have. Director Anja Salomonowitz chooses an original approach to her topic. The film is based on real stories of trafficked women, which the director has condensed into a documentary screenplay. Thus, the films constantly finds new connections between the narrative logic of cinematographic fiction, the “what could happen” and ...

Brother

Brother

2014 | 27 min | Crime

Lukasz (24) wants to get out of crisis mode. He yearns for recognition and loyalty. As tough thug for Hamburg's main man, he believes he's found it all. While Lukasz's rise up the ladder begins to take shape, the death of their mother brings his little brother Kamil (13) to Lukasz's front door after a long break in contact. Lukasz is forced to choose between his criminal substitute family and his brother. Jarek Dudas Kiez drama BROTHER is his graduation film from the International Film School ...

Mein

Mein

2009 | 104 min | Crime

Maggie(21) and Klaus(41) are on holiday. When Maggie shows interest in another man, the balance of power between the couple shifts. MEIN is an intense thriller directed by and starring Detlef Bothe, who plays a fortysomething man. He is on the road camping with a much younger woman. They seem to be a couple, but something darker lies at the core of their relationship. “Sharp as a knife and exciting.” (Der Tagesspiegel)

Naomi's Journey

Naomi's Journey

2017 | 92 min | Crime

After her sister is murdered, Naomi travels to Germany from Peru for the trial. Naomi, 20, lives a simple life with her younger siblings in Peru. Her older sister got married in Germany and was apparently happy. But now she is dead, murdered by her German husband, and Naomi is in a state of shock. Travelling with her mother to the country of the crime is the last thing Naomi wants to do. But then she decides to accompany her mom and ends up testifying at the trial in Berlin as a joint plaintiff. The ...

Was ich von ihr weiss

Was ich von ihr weiss

2006 | 92 min | Crime

Professional pick-pocketing, love, hate and rebellion merge in a volatile tale of crime and mother-daughter love by Maren-Kea Freese (ZOE). Shot in unassuming locales in Essen this gritty thriller boasts excellent performances by the leads Julia Richter and Alice Dwyer. When Kati's grandma dies, her mother Iris (Julia Richter) reappears on the scene after a long absence. Iris is barely twice as old as her 16-year-old daughter (Alice Dwyer) and leads an unsettled life – not as a glamorous fashion ...