Doppelgänger. The Double

February 1978. A young Pole, Hans arrives in Strasbourg, Germany to meet his biological mother, Helga Steiner. He tells everyone that he was adopted as an infant. Helga dies in mysterious circumstances. Her brother convinces Hans to stay in the West, apply for political asylum, and live with them. His story runs in parallel with that of Jan Bitner, a Pole living in Sopot, Poland. When sorting through documents left by his recently deceased mother, Jan finds an adoption certificate. His investigation leads him to discover that his biological mother was Helga Steiner. At this point, it becomes clear to us that Hans (more precisely, Józef Wieczorek) has stolen Jan Bitner’s true identity and is working as a spy in Strasbourg. A film about a man steeped in inner conflict, driven by love to try to turn back from a path of no return. He sows destruction instead of love, but as an agent he is impeccable. The movie is also a dark psychological tale about human tragedies and innocent victims of a ruthless spy operation, about the consequences of living a lie, and about love that offers hope for redemption – about the relentless pursuit of the truth and the utmost price that it entails. “DOPPELGÄNGER. DOUBLE”is inspired by true stories of special agents of Cold-War Poland who stole another's identity, to build false family relations and launch a successful espionage career. A story of how big-world politics can devastate the lives of ordinary people.