Synopsis & Film Details
Directed by veteran comedic actor Michael “Bully” Herbig, “Balloon” tells the gripping true story of one of the most spectacular documented escapes from communist East Germany. Inspired by an article about an international balloon festival in the United States, the Strelzyk and Wetzel families sail over the heavily guarded German border in an air balloon that they built in the cellar of their home. The preparations for the escape take 18 months, but the balloon crash lands just before they can reach West Germany. The Stasi, or secret police, find traces of the attempted escape and immediately launch an investigation, while the two families build another air balloon. Based in part on thousands of pages of secret Stasi files gathered on the families, this suspenseful and sometimes darkly funny film about courage and resilience will keep you on the edge of your seat. Starring Thomas Kretschmann, David Kross, and Alicia von Rittberg. In German and English, with English subtitles.
Assistive listening services are not available for this film.
Director: Michael “Bully” Herbig
Germany • 125 minutes • Not Rated
Distributor: Distrib Films