Born to Fake
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?
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Release History & Theatrical Window
Filmfest München
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Erec Brehmer, Benjamin Rost
- Screenplay & Story
- Benjamin Rost, Erec Brehmer
- Original Score
- Alexander Vičar
- Original Title
- Born to Fake
- Country of Origin
- Germany
- Release Date
- 28/05/2026
- Spoken Languages
- German
- Runtime
- 1h 32m
- Production Studios
- MSZ Production and Consulting, SWR
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Erec Brehmer, Benjamin Rost
Benjamin Rost, Erec Brehmer
Alexander Vičar
Pius Neumaier, Julian Krubasik
Erec Brehmer
Mark Szilágyi
Department Leadership Roster
Erec Brehmer
Director
Benjamin Rost
Director
Mark Szilágyi
Producer
Pius Neumaier
Director of Photography
Julian Krubasik
Director of Photography
Erec Brehmer
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Born to Fake.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Born to Fake
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
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 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?
Who directed Born to Fake?
Born to Fake was directed by Erec Brehmer, Benjamin Rost.
Who stars in Born to Fake?
The principal cast of Born to Fake includes Michael Born, Roland Berger, Martin Lettmayer, Dr. Gabriele Schuster, Thomas Pritzl.
When was Born to Fake released and how long is it?
Born to Fake was released in 2026 with a total runtime of 1h 32m.
Who composed the musical score for Born to Fake?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Born to Fake was composed by Alexander Vičar.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Born to Fake?
Born to Fake holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.).