The film 15 Minutes is a crime-thriller, directed by John Herzfeld and released in 2001. It stars Robert De Niro as Detective Eddie Flemming, a popular and media-savvy NYPD homicide detective who is investigating a series of crimes committed by two Eastern European criminals, Oleg and Emil. Oleg is played by Oleg Taktarov, while Emil is played by Karel Roden.
The story begins with Oleg and Emil arriving in New York City to pick up their share of a heist score. Oleg steals a video camera, and begins filming their activities, both legal and illegal. They soon discover that the American media circus can turn a remorseless killer into a celebrity, and they decide to use this to their advantage. They target Detective Flemming and his partner, Detective Leon (played by Edward Burns), as well as Fire Marshal Jordy Warsaw (played by Avery Brooks). They film everything, with the intention of selling the footage to the local tabloid TV show "Top Story."
As the investigation heats up, Oleg and Emil become increasingly desperate to make money from their footage. They attempt to manipulate the media and the legal system, framing an innocent man for one of their crimes and trying to turn the tables on Flemming and Warsaw. The tension builds to a violent and explosive confrontation, as the two sides battle it out to see who will come out on top.
Along the way, the film explores themes of celebrity, violence, corruption, and justice. It asks the question of whether the media has the power to turn criminals into heroes and victims into villains, and whether justice can ever truly be served in a system that is driven by money and publicity. The film also features a star-studded cast, including Charlize Theron, Kelsey Grammer, and Melina Kanakaredes.