Markus Thöß

Why does a religious community need a secret service? Frank Nordhausen and Markus Thöß explore this question in their documentary about the most mysterious department of the Scientology organization. They spent more than a year researching with a camera in Europe and the USA. The 90-minute documentary is the world's first detailed film about OSA - the Office of Special Affairs. Scientology is classified as an extremist sect in various European countries and is therefore monitored by domestic intelligence services.

Investigative reporters follow Scientology’s push into Southwest Germany: after opening a massive Basel center, the church eyes a Stuttgart flagship. From Kirchheim/Teck locals opposing recruitment to a shady broker in Tel Aviv and Scientology’s global hub in Clearwater, Florida, the film exposes its political ambitions and questions whether it’s a faith community or a profit‐driven enterprise requiring stricter oversight.

When aviation pioneers crossed the Alps for the first time a good 80 years ago, flying was still a frontier experience. The film does the same as aviation pioneer Hugo Junkers (1859-1935) and takes the audience on a visually stunning adventure from an unusual perspective. As if sitting in the impressive Junkers vintage car from the 1930s, the viewer travels along the route between Dessau and Venice, past castles and palaces, river bends and cliffs, grandiose mountain panoramas and impressive cultural heritage. "From the Elbe to the Adriatic - A legendary journey with Aunt JU" ventures on an exciting emotional flight through the present and the past. On the trail of dreamers, aviation pioneers and passengers.