German thrash metal legends Kreator are set to unveil their official documentary, “Kreator – Hate & Hope“, with its world premiere on July 2 at the 42nd Munich International Film Festival. The festival is scheduled to run from June 27 to July 6. Following its festival debut, the 110-minute film, directed by Cordula Kablitz-Post, will receive a broader theatrical release starting September 4.
The documentary offers an in-depth look at Kreator‘s remarkable four-decade career. The film’s official description outlines its scope: “To their fans worldwide, they are gods, but their music seems possessed by the devil — more aggressive, faster, and more uncompromising than others. The German band Kreator has long since reached the pinnacle of the thrash metal scene. The film ‘Kreator – Hate & Hope‘ tells the forty-year history of the celebrated metal band for the first time, from their founding as a school band in 1982 in the Ruhr area to the grand international stages of their current world tour. Then as now, they stand against the hatred and the abysses of our society. Shrill tones, virtuosic guitar riffs, and energetic drumbeats process the turmoil in our civilization with tremendous willpower and creativity. Between Hannah Arendt quotes and headless corpses, emerges a well-crafted poetry of chaos full of symbols of horror — a musical Molotov cocktail against evil with a cathartic effect.”
Director Cordula Kablitz-Post, known for her work on “Die Toten Hosen – You Only Live Once“, immersed herself with the band for a full year to capture their essence. This extensive filming period included following Kreator on their global tour, documenting performances at major events and locations such as Wacken Open Air, Tokyo, Osaka, Bangalore, Los Angeles, and culminating with the “Klash Of The Ruhrpott” event in Gelsenkirchen, where prominent German metal bands gathered.
The film promises an honest and often humorous exploration into the heart of German music history. It incorporates private archive footage and features an impressive roster of interviewees who provide diverse perspectives on Kreator‘s impact and journey. Notable figures appearing in the documentary include Scott Ian of Anthrax, Chuck Billy from Testament, Bela B. of Die Ärzte, former Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel, Maik Weichert from Heaven Shall Burn, Nergal of Behemoth, actor Lars Eidinger, and producer Andy Sneap.
