The Octogon System

A 90 minutes documentary in partnership with ARTE France and Anthracite

In 1944, anticipating defeat, two Nazi arms dealers hide large sums of money in Switzerland on behalf of the SS secret service.

After the war, the two recover the hidden loot to finance the brand-new Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Former Nazis and American agents then create a network of corruption and secret political financing—“Octogon”—embezzling arms sales in operations that benefit CDU’s slush funds and Konrad Adenauer’s political campaign.

In 1956, the case becomes public, provoking a parliamentary investigative commission. But the hour of truth had not yet rung…

After several suicides and the mysterious disappearance of witnesses, the investigation ends in utter confusion. Business will go on as usual . . . until the resignation of Helmut Kohl.