Horse Trader Kohlhaas (Michael Kohlhaas, 2013) is a film adaptation of Heinrich von Kleist’s novel of the same name about Michael Kohlhaas, an upstanding horse trader in 16th-century Germany.
Kohlhaas has two horses illegally seized by a local baron during a trip. His attempts to seek justice through legal means are met with corruption and injustice. Frustrated and angry, he decides to fight by force, organizing a small army to fight for his rights against the baron and his domain. Kolhas’ resistance was not only for his own rights, but also a challenge to the corrupt system. Eventually, his struggle draws widespread attention from the community, but he himself faces great danger and sacrifice.
Through the story of Kolhas, this movie explores the complex relationship between justice, law and individual rights.
