A Trick of Light_
A rare gem of cinematic storytelling that weaves docudrama, fictional reenactment, and experimental photography into a powerful, reflective work on the early days of German cinema. The film tells the story of the Skladanowsky Brothers, the German-born duo responsible for inventing the "bioskop", an early version of the film projector.
Starring
Udo Kier, Otto Kuhnle, Christoph Merg
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Apple TV
8 countries
Prime Video
5 countries
G
Google Play
3 countries
YouTube
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Year context
A Trick of Light was released 31 years ago in 1995.
Overview
A rare gem of cinematic storytelling that weaves docudrama, fictional reenactment, and experimental photography into a powerful, reflective work on the early...
A Trick of Light is a Drama, Documentary film with a runtime of 1h 19m.
CAST (20)
Udo Kier
Max Skladanowsky
OK
Otto Kuhnle
Emil Skladanowsky
CM
Christoph Merg
Eugen Skladanowsky / Jongleur (Der Jongleur)
NB
Nadine Büttner
Gertrud Skladanowsky
LH
Lucie Hürtgen-Skladanowsky
Herself
BW
Bodo Werner Lang
Postbote
Rüdiger Vogler
Hochradfahrer
AS
Alfred Sczczot
Spion
Wim Wenders
Regisseur / Milchmann
Jürgen Jürges
Self
GK
Germán Kral
Kamera-Assistent
BR
Barbara Rohm
Tonfrau
Florian Gallenberger
Ton-Assistent
MK
Marianna Kawka
Josephine Skladanowky
HM
Hans Moser
Direktor Baron
Thomas Rosié
Direktor Dorn
BO
Brygida Ochaim
Mademoiselle Ancion / Tänzerin (Serpentintanz)
MW
Manfred Wopalka
Auguste Lumière
JS
Jürgen Schumann
Louis Lumière
Rolf Zacher
Max Skladanowsky (voice)
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is A Trick of Light about?
A rare gem of cinematic storytelling that weaves docudrama, fictional reenactment, and experimental photography into a powerful, reflective work on the early days of German cinema. The film tells the story of the Skladanowsky Brothers, the German-born duo responsible for inventing the "bioskop", an early version of the film projector.
How long is A Trick of Light?
A Trick of Light has a runtime of 79 minutes (1h 19m).
Who stars in A Trick of Light?
The cast of A Trick of Light includes Udo Kier, Otto Kuhnle, Christoph Merg, Nadine Büttner, Lucie Hürtgen-Skladanowsky.
What is the rating of A Trick of Light?
A Trick of Light has a rating of 5.8 out of 10 based on 15 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Drama
Documentary
