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Balloon

Balloon

Dir. Michael Herbig
125 min

Twin Cities German Film Festival

Saturday, November 9 at 7:30pm ($10)

Presented as part of the Twin Cites German Film Festival, a project of the Germanic-American Institute in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut.

ABOUT THE FILM

A thriller-like true story of one of the most spectacular escapes of the 20th Century. Balloon is based on the true events of one of the most daring escapes of the Cold War in which two families living in Communist East Germany sailed over the heavily fortified border in a homemade hot-air balloon.

In the summer of 1979, the Strelzyk and Wetzel families—who had been working on their audacious plan for more than two years—try to flee East Germany in a self-made hot-air balloon. But after the balloon crash-lands just before the West German border, the Stasi find traces of the attempted escape and immediately launch an investigation. In a nerve-wracking race against the clock, the two families attempt to build a new escape balloon as the Stasi get closer and closer each day…

ABOUT THE TWIN CITIES GERMAN FILM FESTIVAL

The 3rd Annual Twin Cities German Film Festival is a celebration of German cinema highlighting compelling true stories from the heart of Europe. This year’s festival presents a curated selection of films based on real-life events, offering unique insights into history, culture, and the human experience. From riveting dramas to inspiring tales of perseverance, these films bring extraordinary true stories to the screen.

The festival, produced by the Germanic-American Institute in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, showcases the power of storytelling through the lens of contemporary German filmmakers. Whether you’re a cinema enthusiast or simply curious about Germany’s rich history and culture, this festival promises an unforgettable cinematic journey.

Discover how real lives and historical moments are transformed into art, and engage with thought-provoking narratives that resonate across time and borders.

Film Details

Program: Twin Cities German Film Festival
Release Year: 2018
Runtime: 125 min
Country/Region: Germany
Language: German, English
Print Source: Distrib Films US
Tags: History, Thriller

Cast/Crew

Director: Michael Herbig
Producer: Michael Herbig
Cinematographer: Torsten Breuer
Screenwriter: Kit Hopkins, Thilo Röscheisen
Editor: Alexander Dittner
Composer: Ralf Wengenmayr
Principal Cast: Karoline Schuch, David Kross, Jella Haase, Friedrich Mücke

Sponsor for Balloon

Showtimes

The Main 3

Saturday, November 9th