1938. While the Nazi troops march into Vienna, the lawyer Josef Bartok hastily tries to escape to the USA with his wife but is arrested by the Gestapo. Bartok remains steadfast and refuses to cooperate with the Gestapo that requires confidential information from him. Thrown into solitary confinement, Bartok is psychologically tormented for months and begins to weaken. However, when he steals an old book about chess it sets him on course to overcome the mental suffering inflicted upon him, until it becomes a dangerous obsession.
Oliver Masucci
as Dr. Josef Bartok
Albrecht Schuch
as Franz-Josef Böhm
Birgit Minichmayr
as Anna Bartok
Rolf Lassgård
as Owen McConnor
Andreas Lust
as Johann Prantl
Samuel Finzi
as Alfred Koller
Lukas Miko
as Gustav Sailer
Joel Basman
as Barkeeper Willem
Clemens Berndorff
as Dr. Swoboda
Johannes Zeiler
as Dr. Fink
Maresi Riegner
as Maid Klara
Luisa-Céline Gaffron
as Fridl
