A corrupt cop, a seedy vigilante and a torturing car smuggler. The latest "Polizeiruf 110" from the German-Polish border area worked on some construction sites. Nevertheless, the result was a well-rounded film that entertained for 90 minutes. But: Of course, one or the other question remains. Here are the answers.
Can Maria Simon speak Russian?
Is there really a German-Polish commissariat?
No, that's just a dream of the future - albeit a very pleasant one. Although police officers work closely together in border regions, there is no joint police station. Neither on the German-Polish border, nor on any other border with a neighboring country.
Are German police just allowed to investigate in Poland?
No, that doesn't correspond to reality either. In real police work, a German officer would have to request administrative assistance from his Polish colleagues, who would then accompany him on his investigations. He himself would not have any powers in Poland.
Why does Maria Simon speak Russian so well?
She's half Russian! In the film, detective Olga Lenski suddenly speaks Russian without an accent. No wonder: Maria Simon's mom comes from Leningrad. "So the language is part of my mother tongue. I enjoyed being able to speak Russian during filming," said Simon ahead of filming.
Is the German-Polish "Polizeiruf 110" also shown in Poland?
Yes, the entire "Polizeiruf" - not just the episodes from the border area - is a very popular format there. Lucas Gregorowicz, who has been playing Commissioner Adam Raczek since December 2015, grew up in Poland and confirmed the hype surrounding the crime series: "A lot of people tuned in and my family was very happy to see me again."
