Balloon

2018 · 2h05 · Film

Directed by Michael Herbig

Starring Karoline Schuch, Friedrich Mücke, Alicia von Rittberg, David Kross, Jonas Holdenrieder, Tilman Döbler, Thomas Kretschmann, Ronald Kukulies, Emily Kusche, Ulrich Brandhoff

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Two families attempt a daredevil plan to escape the GDR with a homemade hot air balloon, but it crashes just before the border. The Stasi finds traces of this attempt to escape and immediately starts investigations, while the two families are forced to build a new escape balloon. With each passing day the Stasi is closer on their heels - a nerve-wracking race against time begins.

Original title

Ballon

Original language

German

Screenplay

Kit Hopkins, Thilo Röscheisen, Michael Herbig

Music

Ralf Wengenmayr, Marvin Miller

Cinematography

Torsten Breuer

Cast

David Kross, Jonas Holdenrieder, Tilman Döbler, Thomas Kretschmann, Ronald Kukulies, Emily Kusche, Ulrich Brandhoff, Sebastian Hülk, Kai Ivo Baulitz

Updated July 22, 2026

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