The Lüneburg Variant

The story centers around the mysterious death of sixty-eight-year-old Dr. Dieter Frisch, a wealthy industrialist and chess master, living outside Vienna. Having returned from his office in Munich on Friday evening, he was discovered on Sunday morning in the orchard of his estate, at the center of a concentric maze, built in the shape of a chess board. Dr Frisch was found lying in a pool of his own blood, with his antique silver pistol several feet from the body. There was no suicide note, but a primitive chess set was found by police, in Dr Frisch's study, set up at a complicated middle-game position.

Directed by Gabriele Salvatores, The Lüneburg Variant leans on a strong ensemble — Toni Servillo, Sebastian Koch, Damian Hardung — 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 screen titles of 0.