Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Father seeks justice for murdered daughter; sexual violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Where to Watch
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My Daughter's Killer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
While Andre Bamberski was living in France in 1983, his 16-year-old daughter Kalinka died mysteriously in Germany, where she lived with her mother and stepfather, Dr. Dieter Krombach. MY DAUGHTER'S KILLER follows the dad's remarkable and dogged refusal to accept the story that the death was accidental. His hard work eventually unearths the stepfather's history of sexual abuse and drugging and raping underage victims. He's eventually sentenced in France, but Germany refuses to extradite him. He's convicted in Germany of another rape, but the punishment is a mere suspension of his medical license. He nevertheless goes on to practice without the license for years around Germany. It's not until Bamberski has him kidnapped and brought to France that he faces real prison time, a sentence of 15 years. He was released early for medical reasons and died seven months of release.
Is It Any Good?
My Daughter's Killer is a solid, absorbing documentary that goes beyond the ordinary cold case investigation. It focuses on the remarkable doggedness of a skeptical grieving parent who simply refused to believe his healthy child had died of natural causes. It's well-paced with twists and turns that rival great fictional films. Teen fans of true crime stories will be thoroughly engaged (and outraged).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about a lawyer's contention that revenge isn't justice. Do you think the father in this case was seeking revenge, or justice? Why?
Why do you think the police ignored this case for so long?
What role do you think politics between France and Germany played in delaying the extradition of the criminal from Germany to France for justice?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 12, 2022
- Director : Antoine Tassin
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Run time : 83 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 2, 2022
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