GDR, August 1989: Hanna and Andreas became a target of the secret police and had to give up their plans for their future studies and desired professions. Instead, they face arbitrariness, mistrust and reprisals. Their only chance for a self-determined life lies in fleeing across the Baltic Sea. Fifty kilometres of water separate them from freedom - and only a thin connecting rope around their wrists saves them from absolute loneliness.
Cinematography
Baltic Sea as suffocating void and terrifying promise.
Acting
Urzendowsky's silent determination carries the entire crossing.
Production
Authentically cramped GDR apartments vs endless water.
Director
Sarah Neumann
Lena Urzendowsky
Hanna Klein
Winnie Böwe
Rita Kuschwitz
Ronny Miersch
Hausmeister Zschoche
Stefan Mocker
Falk Kuschwitz
Torsten Ranft
Dr. Hübner
Norbert Stöß
Nachbar Sommer
Jörg Westphal
Sportfunktionär Behrens
Bernhard Conrad
Olaf Klein
Pauline Knof
Elisabeth Klein
Mareike Beykirch
Frau Kröger
Uwe Preuss
Direktor Schneider
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Sarah Neumann based this on her own mother's attempted escape from the GDR in 1988; the original plan involved three people, not two.
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