23 (1998)

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Hans Christian Schmid directed this fact-based German thriller about computer hackers who find inspiration in The Illuminatus! Trilogy, the popular Robert Shea/Robert Anton Wilson cult novel series probing Atlantis, conspiracies, Discordianism, dolphins, drugs, and the mystical meaning of the number… More Hans Christian Schmid directed this fact-based German thriller about computer hackers who find inspiration in The Illuminatus! Trilogy, the popular Robert Shea/Robert Anton Wilson cult novel series probing Atlantis, conspiracies, Discordianism, dolphins, drugs, and the mystical meaning of the number 23. Interest in the Shea-Wilson book can be found on numerous websites throughout the Internet. Two members of the Shea-Wilson cult are young Karl Koch (August Diehl) and his buddy David (Fabian Busch). They find countless references to the book everywhere they look. Sitting at computer keyboards, they relate the theories to current events, and through their pal Pepe (Dieter Landuris) they sell their research to Russians in East Berlin. However, the Russians want military data. To elude authorities, Karl and David work from hotel rooms, and one day they accidentally access a United States government database. The pressures take a toll on Karl, who suffers a mental collapse. Shown at 1998 film fests (Locarno, Munich, Toronto). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi