23 000 Lives

23 000 Lives (2026)



23 000 Leben

6.1 2026 112 min —

Director: Markus Goller

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Mala Emde, Katharina Stark, Frederick Lau, Maria Dragus

Drama
Fed up with watching helpless refugees drown while trying to cross the sea to Europe, a bold crew of young Berliners decides to stop standing on the sidelines. With zero experience but an unstoppable drive, they rally a crowdfunding effort to purchase a rundown vessel. Setting sail into the Mediterranean, they risk everything on a daring rescue mission to save thousands of lives. Yet as they navigate treacherous waters, their own beliefs about morality and the law are pushed to the breaking point.

More About This Film

23 000 Lives is a German drama inspired by real events surrounding a group of young people who attempt to rescue refugees in distress in the Mediterranean. What begins as an act of solidarity becomes a confrontation with legal uncertainty, political pressure and the consequences of intervening at sea.

Markus Goller focuses on the emotional and moral pressure placed on the young rescuers as their ideals encounter complicated realities. Louis Hofmann, Mala Emde and Katharina Stark lead the cast, supported by Maria Dragus and other German performers.

  • The original German title is 23 000 Leben.
  • Directed by Markus Goller.
  • Written by Michele Cinque and Oliver Ziegenbalg.
  • Louis Hofmann, Mala Emde and Katharina Stark headline the film.
  • The running time is approximately 112 minutes.

Where to Watch

23 000 Lives has a European release profile, with streaming availability changing by country.