Corpus Delicti

In the organizer's words:

Play by Juli Zeh

Germany in the year 2057: the democratic state has long since developed into a health dictatorship. Self-optimization is the first duty of citizens. Compliance with nutrition and fitness programs is strictly monitored by means of implanted chips. The "method" also requires citizens to do everything they can to stay healthy. Hygiene, cleanliness and order are the top priorities. Deviants are held accountable in court. Biologist Mia Holl gets on well with the "method", she adapts and goes along with it - until her freedom-loving brother Moritz, who is critical of the system, is accused of murder. A DNA test is said to have convicted him. But Mia Holl doubts that her brother is really a murderer. Now she is questioning the system herself. When her brother dies in custody, she loses her composure. She no longer submits any health reports, neglects herself and even smokes a cigarette. And she mourns, which is not welcome in a state of emotional equilibrium. She quickly turns from witness to defendant. A show trial of national proportions, a witch trial begins.

Juli Zeh's political thriller and courtroom drama "Corpus Delicti" was originally written as a play for the Ruhrtriennale and premiered there in 2007. Two years later, the novel of the same name was published and became a bestseller. The gloomy dystopia about totalitarian systems captures an existing malaise: Where is AI taking us? Will it restrict our freedom, or is it an opportunity? How much data have we already been giving away through various tracking programs? When is it time to stand up for our own freedom?