Balloon (2018)

4th German Film Week

SM Megamall

"For freedom, they Risked it All"

2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the reunification of Germany. The Berlin Wall which divided the West (democratic) from the East (communist) fell after a peaceful revolution. 

Life in East Germany was very restrictive, to say the least. The Ministry for State Security, commonly known as the Stasi was the official 'police'. They were a very ruthless and strict force who mostly relied on surveillance to keep tabs on its citizens. Openly engaging in domestic, foreign and political espionage which was overseen by the Communist/ Socialist party.

Many East Germans tried to flee across the border to West Germany. Risking their lives just to be free from authoritarian rule. This movie documents a major risk, two families took to escape from East Germany - using of all things, an easily visible hot air balloon. It was set in 1979 - Ten years before the fall of the Berlin wall.

It shows their futile first attempt when the balloon starting leaking due to the cold air at such a high altitude. The material they used was not water proof so the balloon came crashing down in a forested area, just a few meters from the border. That was heart breaking, shocking and really frustrating.

But luckily, the Strelzyk family were not caught since it was the dark of night. They managed to walk back to their car through the thick forest and simply went home like nothing happened. But still very shaken from the unfortunate incident.

Their inflated balloon though was discovered by a local who chanced upon it the next day. The Stasi as well as the border patrol is alerted and their search for the 'owners' of the balloon also unfolds simultaneously as the Strelzyk family along with their friends, the Wetzel  family decide to try escaping yet again.

They source their materials from different clothing stores as Gunter Wetzel gets to sewing the patches together to form a large balloon. They also tweak the main frame where the oxygen gases are situated and built it a bit larger to fit all of them.

The fast pacing takes on an intense nature once the second attempt on a much larger hot air balloon, begins. You are on the edge of your seat as you feel your pulsating heart beating fast. Probably the exact feeling they all felt that night. Adding to the drama is the fact that the Stasi have discovered about their second try so it is a race between the families flying to freedom and the authorities, fielding all of their gears, hot on their tail. 

Scenes are mostly shot during the night for the escapes. But the camera work is steady so you don't have to squint to see what unfolds on the screen. It is set in the 1970s so the wardrobe is realistic, as well as the furnishings inside their household. A typical East German vibe, if you know what I mean, permeates through the row of similar looking houses on their block.

The first balloon is already 'made' so it mostly focuses on the plotting of their second getaway.  Not much information on the why, when, and where this idea of escaping on a hot air balloon is provided. I guess, every East German's dream was to flee to freedom but it would have helped if we knew what triggered their intentions.

The end credits show the real characters upon whom this film is based, as well as their first inflated balloon cordoned off in some forested area. They are also shown reacting to the fall of the Berlin wall, safely in the Bavarian region which is located in the west part of Germany.

Overall, it is a fitting tribute to those who tried to escape, either successfully or resulting in failure. But it is human nature to cheer on for those deprived of their basic human rights and this average film deals with very inspirational characters who did not give up until they tasted freedom, in every sense of the word.