Balloon

In East Germany in 1979 two families try to cross the border in a hot air balloon they have sewn at home. The first attempt fails and they have to leave the balloon in a field. The Stasi start from what they find and set about identifying who made it. The film draws its tension not from the escape but from the fact that even buying fabric attracts suspicion; the narrative runs the sewing of a second balloon and the investigation in parallel. Michael Herbig directed, a change of genre for a director who had made comedies. It follows a real escape attempt. Who it's for: those who like thrillers from real events. Who it's not for: viewers wanting depth of character; the film gives its weight entirely to process and time.