JOY DIVISION

Year: 2006
UK: Miracle Communications
Cast: Ed Stoppard, Tom Schilling, Bernadette Heerwargen, Bernard Hill, Michelle Gayle, Lea Mornar, Suzanne von Borsody, Bernard Kay, Sean Chapman, Thomas Darchinger, Sybille Gebhardt, Levente Törköly, Ricci Harnett, Dietrich Hollinderbäumer, Marlon Kittel, Robert Sidaway, Teri Földi, Ram John Holder, Gary Jones, Kincso Petho, Gyula Benedek, Peter Kertesz, Istvan Zicherman, Lili Bordan, Mihaly Szabados, Iren Bordan
Director: Reg Traviss
Countries: UK / Germany / Hungary
UK: 105 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language, moderate bloody violence and sexual violence
UK Release Date: 17 November 2006 (Limited Release)

Synopsis

From the burning cities of East Germany during World War II to London's swinging 60s-era, JOY DIVISION tells a compelling story of memory, identity and trust as we follow one young man in search of love and freedom.

It is the last days of World War II and Thomas (Tom Schilling), a German teenager, is forced into joining the battle against the advancing Red Army. During the ensuing chaos he loses touch with his first love, Melanie (Bernadette Heerwagen), but meets Astrid (Lea Morner), a determined survivor, and with her joins the vast exodus of refugees fleeing westwards. A cruel twist of fate sees Thomas captured by the Russians and spirited off behind the Iron Curtain.

Seventeen years later, Thomas (Ed Stoppard) is a graduate from an elite Soviet school and is recruited by the KGB and sent to London to infiltrate a Soviet spy ring, which has aroused the suspicion of Thomas's superiors. Whilst leading a double life as a spy, Thomas meets and falls for Yvonne (Michelle Gayle), a young artist who reawakens his suppressed passion for life. But international espionage proves to be the deadliest of games and, once again, Thomas must face the question of whether or not he should stand and fight or run for his life.

A thrilling and intelligent combination of the war movie and spy thriller genres, JOY DIVISION is the debut feature by writer-director Reg Traviss and stars rising young British actor Ed Stoppard (THE PIANIST) alongside Bernard Hill (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), Michelle Gayle (EASTENDERS; GRANGE HILL TV series) and celebrated German actor Tom Schilling (ATOMISED).