This March, audiences will witness Hans Sigl stepping away from the Alpine backdrop of his beloved series "Der Bergdoktor" and immersing himself in the urgent narratives of the new TV thriller "Flucht aus Lissabon". Premiering on March 17, 2025, at 20:15 on ZDF, this film dives deep to confront the powerful themes of election manipulation and the dangers of fake news.
Sigl stars as Tom Fährmann, a former escape helper who is fresh from the shadows of his past, tasked by Germany's BKA to protect key witness Sophia Moreno, portrayed by Hana Sofia Lopes. The stakes grow as the plot unveils how Sophia’s son, seven-year-old Noa, becomes unwittingly caught between conflicting factions; he is held hostage by hackers who demand her cutting-edge software, intended to sway the upcoming presidential election in the fictional African country of Kitwana.
Reflecting on why he was drawn to the role, Sigl noted, "The story of a former lawyer who goes underground as an escape helper and is brought to Lisbon to protect a witness intrigued me immensely." He continued to express concern about the themes tackled within the film, emphasizing, "Fake news and election manipulation – nothing could be more timely than creating awareness around such topics today."
Directed by Steffi Doehlemann and born from the pen of Hans-Hinrich Koch, the film presents not only entertainment but social commentary on the threats posed by disinformation. Koch remarked, "During my research for the script, I discovered just how much of what we think is fiction has become our frightening reality through shadowy figures manipulating elections using fake news and misinformation campaigns."
Sigl’s depiction of Tom Fährmann is not merely cinematic; it's deeply personal. The actor shared, "I talk openly with my own children about fake news. Once you switch on your phone and enter social media channels, the floodgates of misinformation begin to open." Educators and parents alike are growing more aware of the imperative for children to understand and recognize online deceits.
Filming took place against the vibrant backdrop of Lisbon, combining picturesque locales with unique logistical challenges. Sigl reminisced, "The beautiful thing about it was the team largely comprised Portuguese crew members, and we communicated on set mainly in Portuguese, English, and German. It created a beautiful sense of togetherness." The nuances of multilingual dialogue flow smoothly on screen, largely thanks to Lopes, who fluently manages conversations across the languages.
Some scenes did not come without their difficulties. Koch described facing challenges like extreme weather conditions and public tourism flows, which necessitated careful planning. "Lissabon offered us spectacular scenery yet also logistical hurdles during our shoot. From torrential rain to Saharan sand, we had our share of difficulties, not to mention the Atlantic's tempestuous waves!"
For Marion Kracht, who plays BKA department head Iris Martenstein, being back again was special. "I have visited Portugal many times and absolutely adore it. Lisbon is truly magical," she shared, even giving her personal recommendation to enjoy some white Port wine with tonic at the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and take in the breathtaking views.
"Flucht aus Lissabon" sees Hans Sigl’s return to thriller narratives, following leading roles in prior films like "Das Geheimnis des Königssees" (2008), "Flucht durchs Höllental" (2019), and its continuation, "Der Feind meines Feindes" (2022). The chemistry and interplay between Sigl and Lopes emerge as one of this new thriller's main strengths, adding depth and intrigue to their perilous mission.
On March 17, get ready to tune in to "Flucht aus Lissabon" on ZDF, where the intersection of thrilling narratives and pressing current issues await. The film not only promises to entertain but also invites viewers to reflect on the realities of today’s digital information age, now available for streaming on the ZDF media library.
