Face Down

Face Down, released in various European countries, recounts the events surrounding the 1973 kidnapping and alleged murder of Thomas Niedermayer, a German businessman and the cousin of Günter Guillaume, a high-ranking STASI informant who had been living in England and had infiltrated the British government. The narrative primarily focuses on the case from an investigative and speculative standpoint, drawing from real-life events and possible theories behind Niedermayer's mysterious disappearance. The film begins in Belfast, 27 December 1973, with a sense of unease and foreboding. On that very night, Thomas Niedermayer, a successful businessman and cousin to the infamous STASI informant Günter Guillaume, is kidnapped from his home under the watchful eyes of the IRA. Günter's presence in England had made him a high profile target for the British government. However, despite the intrigue surrounding his cousin's disappearance, Thomas Niedermayer, like his cousin, remains a somewhat obscure figure. The film takes the audience through the investigations and speculations which followed Niedermayer's disappearance. The investigation appears to be shrouded in secrecy and suspicion, hinting at the complex web of politics and espionage in which the two countries were ensnared at the time. British authorities, with assistance from the Germans, set out to determine what had happened to Niedermayer. They begin to look into possible connections to the IRA, and in the process, raise questions about his cousin Günter's involvement. As the investigation unfolds, theories arise as to Niedermayer's fate. Some speculate that the IRA might have been involved, either as part of a larger operation or simply as a local group looking to exploit the situation. Alternatively, there are suggestions that Niedermayer might have been killed in a botched attempt by the British to apprehend the IRA while Günter may have played a more active role behind the scenes. It should be noted that, unlike in many other films centered on this type of subject matter, 'Face Down' does not try to simplify the issues at hand into neat little plots or convenient outcomes. Rather, it chooses to remain rooted in speculation and ambiguity, reflecting the reality of the situation as little as we truly know about the specifics. A subplot in the story hints at the involvement of Günter in Thomas's disappearance, while not providing concrete evidence to support the claim. Günter's character is woven throughout the narrative, highlighting the tension in his life as an STASI informant and the fear of being caught by the British authorities. This dynamic raises questions about whether Thomas was merely caught up in the larger net of intrigue that Günter was navigating or if Günter had more control over Thomas's destiny than the facts reveal. Through a combination of real and speculative elements, the film delves into the mysterious and often sinister world of international espionage. It leaves viewers to draw their own conclusions and piece together the mystery surrounding Thomas Niedermayer's disappearance.