GERMANY: Kampfansage- The Last Apprentice (The Challenge). 2005

Director: Johannes Jaeger
Stars: Mathis Landwehr, Volkram Zschiesche, Christian Monz, Ron Matz, The Anh Ngo.
Release date: Germany - DVD release April 2006
Length: ?

And why can't the Germans get in on the act as well. The French have been doing it for years with Luc Besson's help, Swedes did in the 80s with their Ninja Mission, then the Dutch had a go with Fighting Fish, the Finns are filming Jadestouri, so why not the Krauts. Looks pretty decent to me. There's a stack of various downloadable trailers on their pretty informative website. Good image sizes as well. I just can't find a poster for it. Previously to this there were 2 short films with the same name. This film is set in the year 2040 so it also has a science fiction slant.

Apart from a few film festivals, it doesn't seem to be getting a cinema release in its own country, yet will be getting one in China. Go figure.

Synopsis
Jonas is the last scholar of an old master who is trained in special century-old martial arts. But the world around him has fallen apart. Industrial and political economics have collapsed and after long, violent civil wars anarchy is beginning to take over.

Bosco, son of a cruel and violent war lord wants to re-build his fathers former empire. With the help of his evil sister Kleo Bosco murders Jonas' master and steals the book which describes and depicts the powerful skills he is after. With this new knowledge, Bosco starts training a powerful army so he can enslave the whole country. But Jonas survives the assassination. Months later he starts out to avenge his master's death and recover the stolen book. On his journey he meets a gang of street kids who are hiding from Bosco's raids. Jonas joins up with Vinzent their sympathetic leader and forms them into a resistance group. Together they take up the battle against Bosco and his troops. Jonas also falls in love with Marie Vinzent's beautiful sister.

Jonas and his friends force Bosco onto the defensive. Bosco fights back and uses his most powerful weapon. To defend his master's honor and save the lives of his friends, Jonas has to take the challenge and battle against his most dangerous enemy face to face.

A merciless fight begins...

• Website
• Mathis Landwehr ebsite