3096 Days

3096 Days is a 2013 German drama film directed by Sherry Hormann. The film is based on the true story of Natascha Kampusch, a 10-year-old girl and her eight-year ordeal being kidnapped by Wolfgang Přiklopil. Northern Irish actress Antonia Campbell-Hughes portrays Kampusch, while Thure Lindhardt plays Přiklopil. The film was writer Bernd Eichinger's last film before his sudden death, and Martin Moszkowicz, head of TV and Film at Constantin Film, and Ruth Toma (Gloomy Sunday) took over. It was also cinematographer Michael Ballhaus's final film. Plot In the morning of 2 March 1998, 10-year-old Natascha Kampusch walks to school alone after having an argument with her mother. On her way she is dragged into a van and wakes up in a cellar. Her captor is 35-year-old technician Wolfgang Přiklopil. Despite being erratic, odd and tyrannical with Natascha, in public Wolfgang is socially awkward and very lonely, with his only contact being his mother, who occasionally comes to visit and bring meals to him. Witness descriptions of the van lead police to interrogate Wolfgang, but do not find anything suspicious. For the next four years Natascha is forbidden from leaving the cellar. Malnourishment, boredom, despair and Wolfgang's incessant psychological manipulation bring her down, giving up any intentions of escaping. Only when Natascha begins menstruating is she allowed to leave the cellar and shower, and from then on, she is allowed to be out more often. When Wolfgang's mother is pleasantly surprised to find a girl's hair on his sweater, he shaves Natascha to avoid raising further suspicion. On Christmas Day of 2003, Natascha is renamed Bibi by Wolfgang, who also reveals his name for the first time. Meanwhile, Natascha's mother is still guilt-ridden for having allowed Natascha to walk to school alone.