Gert Postel

In September 1982, Postel successfully applied for the position of assistant public health officer in Flensburg using the pseudonym of "Dr. med.

His true identity was discovered in April 1983 when he lost an identification card bearing his real name and it was found by someone who knew him by his pseudonym.

[dubious – discuss] After studying theology for a while, Postel returned to medical service in 1995 when he applied under his real name to become senior physician at a psychiatry hospital in Zschadraß after seeing the position advertised in Deutsches Ärzteblatt.

Postel and seven others made the short-list and were asked to present a paper to the Appointment Board of the Ministry for Social Affairs.

[2] When asked about his doctorate, Postel said his thesis was "Cognitive-induced Distortions in the Stereotypical Formation of Judgement" which he characterized as "nothing else than the stringing together of meaningless words.

In contrast to the broadly sympathising stance towards Postel in the German media—who drew comparisons with the "Captain of Köpenick", Wilhelm Voigt—the film takes a far more critical approach, including themes like narcissism.