The Godfather of Sarin

Originally known as Substance 146, Sarin was first created by Nazi scientists in 1938, capable of unleashing devastating effects on the human nervous system with just a few drops. The man most responsible for its release into the world was Otto Ambros: the 'A' in Sarin honors his name. The path he followed reveals dark truths about the surprising interrelationships of enemies and the consequences of compromised economic and geopolitical calculations. Nearly 90 years later, we are still dealing with the Nazi legacy of Sarin gas.

Black-and-white archival photograph of a multi-story concrete industrial building with exterior metal fire stairs and strong diagonal shadows
Emergency responders in protective suits and masks tending to people lying on a city street after a chemical attack
Person in a gas mask and protective hood looking directly at the camera
Otto Ambros in profile, in a double-breasted suit and tie, seated in a courtroom

The Godfather of Sarin was selected for the 2026 Sunny Side of the Doc Meet & Match program in La Rochelle, France. Sunny Side is a top-tier documentary film market where works-in-progress are invited to be pitched to potential co-production and distribution partners from all over the world. Film director Jonathan Gruber was in attendance and held dozens of meetings with interested decision-making executives to secure broadcast commitments and finishing funds — stay tuned for updates!

Sunny Side of the Doc, in partnership with Documentary Campus — official selection badge

Contacts

Jonathan Gruber

Director

+1 415-902-9336 jonathan@blackeye.tv

Joe Cantwell

Executive Producer

+1 202-630-1640 joe@releasepointmedia.com

Karol Martesko-Fenster

Executive Producer

office@karol.com kmf@thoughtengine.net