Born to Fake
Released in May 2026. Born to Fake is a documentary film. directed by Erec Brehmer.
Starring Michael Born, Roland Berger, and Martin Lettmayer
Synopsis
In 1996, one of the biggest media scandals in German history shook the public: Michael Born, a self-made journalist, had faked over twenty reports for the newly established private television station between 1990 and 1996. Some seemed amateurish, others dealt with absurd topics: child labor for IKEA in India, drug addicts licking toads to get high, and the Ku Klux Klan in the Eifel region were just some of his numerous fabrications. How did it come to this? Was Michael Born an enlightened figure who subversively exposed the tabloid system, a victim of the system, or simply a bumbling fraud? Film traces Michael Born's footsteps. Put together from hundreds of hours of raw material and the memories of former companions, an incredible story of forgery emerges. A media-theoretical film about levels of reality, fake news, and the question: Why do we actually believe what we see?
Quick Facts
Release Date
May 28, 2026
Upcoming release
Runtime
1h 32m
92 minutes total
Language
German
Original language
Country
Germany
Production
Directors
Production Details
- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- DE
Production Companies
- MSZ Production and Consulting
- SWR
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Born to Fake about?
In 1996, one of the biggest media scandals in German history shook the public: Michael Born, a self-made journalist, had faked over twenty reports for the newly established private television stati...
Who directed Born to Fake?
Born to Fake was directed by Erec Brehmer.
How long is Born to Fake?
Born to Fake has a runtime of 1 hours and 32 minutes (92 minutes total).
When was Born to Fake released?
Born to Fake was released on May 28, 2026 in theaters.
Who are the main actors in Born to Fake?
The main cast of Born to Fake includes Michael Born, Roland Berger, Martin Lettmayer, Dr. Gabriele Schuster, Thomas Pritzl.