"In this year, there was no other film that succeeded in triggering a social debate of such scope", reasoned the jury with their nomination of "Contergan". "Unlike other so-called "event productions", the two-part production gladly foregoes using the otherwise so readily spread sugar coating. Even the sensational voyeurism that often makes history more easily palatable has been omitted." Based on the fate of an affected family, the WDR-commissioned two-part film illustrates the scandal surrounding the sleeping pill thalidomide (Contergan). Katharina Wackernagel and Benjamin Sadler play the married couple, Denise Wagner is impressing in the role of their disabled daughter. The book was written by Benedikt Röskau, the film was directed by Adolf Winkelmann and Michael Souvignier was the producer with his Cologne company Zeitsprung.

Cast: Benjamin Sadler, Katharina Wackernagel, Denise Marko, Hans-Werner Meyer, Caroline Peters, Laura Tonke, August Zirner, u.a.
Producer: Michael Souvignier. Director: Adolf Winkelmann

Laudation: Dieter Wedel