Rising High

Released in 2020, the captivating German film "Rising High" sits at the intersection of ambition, real estate, and financial manipulation. It tells the story of an audacious young man who operates his empire in the grey areas of economic legality. Directed by Cüneyt Kaya, the film features the talented David Kross, Emily Goss, and Ellen Dubin in key roles.

David Kross, famed for his role in "The Reader", takes up the character of Viktor Steiner, a charismatic and ambitious man. Raised in a poor background, he's driven by a ceaseless desire to break free from his roots and reach the zenith of financial and social success. Despite his humble origins, Viktor is not a man who lets the world tell him no.

Viktor's journey unfolds against the backdrop of Berlin's burgeoning real estate that is rife with opportunity and fraught with competitive pressures. Joining forces with his best friend, Gerald (Frederick Lau), who adds a brilliant layer of complexity to his character, they form a power duo. Gerald shares Viktor's vision of prosperity and is ready to overlook morality to climb ladders of success. Emily Goss brings to life the role of Nicole Kleber, a smart and resourceful real estate analyst, who completes the ambitious trinity. Nicole's brilliant mind becomes an instrumental asset to their burgeoning real estate kingdom.

Despite her initial wariness, Nicole finds herself drawn into Viktor's charisma and their shared ambition to rise above their less affluent backgrounds. At the same time, the powerful and experienced investor Eva Strunk, played by Ellen Dubin, emerges as a formidable force in their way. Their interplay of tactical maneuvers and power struggles form the backbone of the thrilling narrative.

The movie takes the audience through a rollercoaster ride of raw ambition, stunning victories and spectacular failures as the trio face the consequences of their morally ambiguous choices. It dives into the wheeling and dealing of Berlin's property scene, presenting a world where every achievement is the result of a risky gamble and every failure is a devastating blow. At the core of their strategy, Viktor, Gerald, and Nicole power through life seeking loopholes in financial regulations, creating a seemingly infallible empire of wealth and prosperity.

"Rising High" is visually striking, making full use of the urban landscape of Berlin as both a beautiful backdrop and a sharp contradiction to the murky deals negotiated within gleaming high-rises. The cinematography places grandeur alongside grime, offering a textured sense of the city and its property market’s dichotomy. The movie’s aesthetic style runs parallel to the overarching cinematic theme and invokes a sense of allure and risk associated with high-stakes business deals.

One of the film's significant strengths is its complex portrayal of its main characters. Each character's motives - be it hunger for wealth, security, power, or social mobility - are well-understood by the audience. The performances are top-notch, especially David Kross who effortlessly carries the narrative on his shoulders. His nuanced performance humanizes Viktor, making him a flawed but relatable character, capable of instilling a mixture of admiration and apprehension.

Alongside the thriller aspect, the film effectively uses dark humor and biting social commentary to infuse depth and personality into the narrative. The screenplay is taut and smart, and the direction is expertly done, ensuring that the pacing never slackens.

On a larger spectrum, "Rising High" doesn't just tell the story of Viktor’s pursuit of high-stakes prosperity, but it offers a compelling commentary on the seductive allure of quick wealth, the lure of social ascendancy, and the often ignored moral costs. A tale of ambition going awry, it expertly emphasizes how obsession with success can distort personal values and result in a precipitous fall.

In conclusion, Kaya's "Rising High" is a thrilling portrayal of ambition, risk, and the morally grey world of real estate. Bolstered by spectacular performances and a gripping plot, it's a movie that captivates audiences with its compelling narrative of financial manipulation in the heart of Berlin. It strikes a balance between crime thriller, character drama, and societal critique - offering an abundance of suspense and intrigue as it uncovers the dark underbelly of ambitious financial endeavors.