Gottesanbeterinen – Meister der Tarnung

No one in nature has mastered the art of deception like mantises. These seemingly innocent creatures are among the most feared predators in the insect world. Find out how they live, how they breed and who their biggest enemies are... They're killers. They kill their prey with incredible precision. They fight kung-fu style and are considered a symbol of vigilance in Japan. Who are they? Mantises, of course. They have an unmistakable, uniquely bendable head in the shape of a triangle. Two large eyes unerringly measure their prey. The thoracic part of their body is greatly elongated and studded with sharp protrusions that can stab an unfortunate victim with the speed of a switchblade. Mantises have a reputation for being stealthy creatures, especially as they are rarely seen. They are perfectly adapted to their environment, whether moving among leaves, flowers, tree bark, sandy soil or even flowering orchids.

Directed by —, Gottesanbeterinen – Meister der Tarnung leans on a strong ensemble — Paul Bendelow, Philipp Schepmann — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2018.