Freaks vs. The Reich Trailer Pits Circus Performers Against Nazis

Freaks vs. The Reich will soon be released from VMI Releasing. The film is described as an “epic genre mash-up the likes most have never seen,” and that seems to be a fair assessment going by the official trailer. The movie will be released in six markets (Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, and Orlando) as well as VOD and Digital platforms on April 28, 2023. You can get a sneak peek now by watching the trailer below.

The film is arriving after first performing well in the film festival circuit. It was nominated for 16 David di Donatello Awards (winning six, including Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, and Best Cinematography), after it was entered in the main competition at the Venice International Film Festival. Its other accolades include the Leoncino d’Oro Award, the Pasinetti Prize, and the Audience Award at the 2022 Rotterdam Film Festival.

Freaks vs. The Reich is directed by Gabriele Mainetti, who co-wrote the script with Nicola Guaglianone. It stars Claudio Santamaria, Aurora Giovinazzo, Pietro Castellitto, Giancarlo Martini, Giorgio Tirabassi, Max Mazzotta, Franz Rogowski, Sebastian Hülk, and Anna Tenta.

Mainetti produced with Andrea Occhipinti. The film is executive produced by Tommaso Arrighi and Jacopo Saraceni. Co-producers include Isabella Orsini, Paolo Del Brocco, Philippe Logie (VOO, BE TV), Jean-Yves Roubin, and Joseph Rouschop.

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Freaks vs. The Reich Is Unlike Anything You’ve Seen

The movie has been described by Anton Bitel of Projected Figured as “a superheroic spin on Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds.” It’s also being touted as a fantastical historical action-adventure, certainly a mish-mash of genres if we’ve ever seen one. It is the second film to come from They Call Me Jeeg helmer Gabriele Mainetti. You can view the official synopsis below.

Looking to flee the Nazi menace for the shores of America are four super-powered circus performers: there’s beautiful, young, electrically-charged Matilde, Cencio, an albino with the ability to control insects, Mario, a dwarf graced with magnetic powers, and Fulvio, a strongman covered from head to toe with hair. On their heels is the psychotic Franz, an ether-addicted, six-fingered Nazi who runs the nearby circus and believes that the supernaturally gifted quartet will help him turn the tide of the war, delivering the ultimate victory for Hitler and the Reich. Will the “freaks” be able to escape the grasp of the brutal Nazis or will their incredible powers be harnessed in a way that could change both their destinies and the entire course of history forever?

Freaks vs. The Reich comes to select theaters, VOD, and Digital outlets on April 28, 2023.