A Most Wanted Man. Could be anywhere in a time of paranoia

SAN FRANCISCO

Liz and Lee Heidhues 7.24.2025

Several nights ago we walked down to the neighborhood cinema and watched one of the most chilling and impactful films of the 21st century. “A Most Wanted Man.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Most_Wanted_Man_(film)

The adaptation of John Le Carre’s 2008 novel brought into sharp focus the post 9/11 political internecine warfare between the American and German intelligence agencies.

It was very frustrating that only 21 viewers came to watch this important piece of political film making. It depressed us when we walked by the Balboa Cinema three days earlier when the line was backed up into the street to see the film “Godzilla.” That speaks volumes about the American mindset when it comes to the salient political issues of the day.

The story takes place in Hamburg, Germany. A city we have traveled to. Early in the film Philip Seymour Hoffman who portrays a German anti-terror specialist Gunther Bachmann aptly describes present day Hamburg. Sadly, it was Hoffman’s last film. He died at the age of 46 in February 2014 shortly after the film was completed. It is dedicated to his memory.

“Hamburg is one of the great ports of the world. For centuries it opened its arms to every foreigner who washed up on its shores. Now, since 9.11, the eyes of every dark skinned man – we see someone who wants to kill us. The problem is, some of them do. The question is whether Issa Karpov (a Russian/Chechen asylum seeker portrayed by Grigorly Dobrygin) is one of them.”

A story of treachery, betrayal and double dealing amongst the German and American surveillance States during the so called War on Terror which began in the aftermath of the 9.11 attacks on the the United States.

The most telling dialogue in the film takes place between Gunther Bachmann, a German anti-terror expert (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Martha Sullivan, a CIA operative stationed in Berlin (Robin Wright).

Gunther Bachmann. “And all that damage we leave behind. All those lies. All those empty rooms. What were they in vain for? You have asked yourself that question? Why do what we do?”

Martha Sullivan. “Mmm hmm. Sometimes. But I always come up with the same answer.”

Gunther Bachmann. “And what is it?”

Martha Sullivan. “To make the world a safer place. Isn’t that enough?”

Top photo: Philip Seymour Hoffman lets go with one of the all time screams in cinema.