Der Kontrolleur

This interesting German psychological thriller is set during the fall of the Berlin Wall. Just before the fence comes down, 30-year veteran border guard Hermann takes three days off from his station to attend his wife’s funeral. Unknowing of the massive changes that occurred in his absence, he goes back to work and finds he has no work to do. Unlike some of his colleagues, Hermann has trouble finding a new niche in his newly unified country and so continues showing up at his post, filing the usual reports and keeping vandals at bay. Things take a darker turn when he begins interviewing imaginary travelers heading across the non-existent border. Eventually, his obsession drives him over the edge and he captures two hostages and chains them to his post.