Der Drücker

Tommy, 22 years old, is broke and in debt, still lives with his parents and is constantly arguing with his father. The young man wants to break out of this life and believes he has finally found the opportunity to do so. A job advertisement promising 400 marks a week seems tailor-made for him. He quickly makes the acquaintance of a pusher column run by Kalle. But Tommy's ideas of a free life are soon nipped in the bud: He works more than 12 hours a day, goes from door to door to sell magazine subscriptions, lives in a filthy shared room, experiences psychological violence. He leads a life like a slave. How can he get out of this hopeless situation?

Directed by Uwe Frießner, Der Drücker leans on a strong ensemble — Andreas Buttler, Heinz Hoenig, Herbert Raule — 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 drama titles of 1986.