Cyberbunker: The Criminal Underworld is a documentary directed by Kilian Lieb and Max Rainer.
Just like a James Bond villain, a 59-year-old man ran a group from an underground bunker, known as Herman Xennt, a darknet mastermind.
“Cyberbunker: The Criminal Underworld” introduces us to Xennt, with his long grey hair and slim appearance, speaking to us from prison, discussing the operations conducted in this bunker. The bunker served as a server for criminals worldwide operating on the darkest and most dangerous part of the internet, the darknet.
Furthermore, the documentary showcases all the “henchmen” of the criminal organization involved in the darknet.
The cyberbunker thus became a data center for a significant portion of the global darknet, located in a bunker that was formerly owned by NATO, situated in a small peaceful town called Traben-Trarbach.
Xennt had created the first cyberbunker in the Netherlands, and one of his associates described him as a blend of Steve Jobs and a Star Trek character, passionate about bunkers, and a former computer salesman. Around him, a group of friends was formed, and they started hosting adult websites in the beginning until the first bunker burned down.
He needed a new location, this time in Germany, to rebuild his operations and, as referred to in the documentary, “his empire.”
“Cyberbunker: The Criminal Underworld” reveals the type of businesses conducted in that place, which turned into an international hub for cybercrime through the dark web, where illegal activities are anonymously paid for using cryptocurrencies.
One can imagine the type of activities that took place, ranging from drug trafficking to even more sinister matters.
Imagine a data center situated in something like the Silicon Valley of the darknet, which eventually gave rise to the Republic of Cyberbunker.
About the Documentary
The darknet or dark web (whichever you prefer) is something that sparks interest and curiosity. The documentary capitalizes on this, telling the story of one of its most renowned data centers.
“Cyberbunker: The Criminal Underworld” is an informative and well-narrated documentary featuring the collaboration of many organization members. Unfortunately, Xennt himself isn’t very cooperative with the documentary, although he does make an appearance.
It’s an opportunity to discover, for those who are unaware, what the darknet is and some of its secrets. Truly getting to know firsthand the individuals who, in one way or another, operate within this secluded and colorful world.
Welcome to the world of the darknet and one of its most emblematic centers. Welcome to “Cyberbunker: The Criminal Underworld”.
Release Date
November 8, 2023