# Balloon (2018)

> Two East German families race to build a homemade hot-air balloon and outrun a state manhunt before their dream of reaching the West disappears.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/331920

## Facts

- Runtime: 125 min
- Genres: Thriller, Drama, History
- Director: Michael Herbig
- Cast: Karoline Schuch, Friedrich Mücke, Alicia von Rittberg, David Kross, Jonas Holdenrieder, Tilman Döbler, Thomas Kretschmann, Ronald Kukulies
- TMDB rating: 7.5/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7125774/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: none
- Mood: tense, earnest, propulsive, historical thriller night, cold war cinema marathon

## Synopsis

A daring escape plan unfolds as two families risk everything for freedom.

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- [Across the Waters (2016)](https://ember.film/movie/292070)
- [Barbara (2012)](https://ember.film/movie/62668)
- [The Legend of Rita (2000)](https://ember.film/movie/5576)
- [Sonnenallee (1999)](https://ember.film/movie/1571)
- [Turbulence (2025)](https://ember.film/movie/7389106)
- [The Silent Revolution (2018)](https://ember.film/movie/309319)
- [As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (2001)](https://ember.film/movie/6449)
- [Nowhere in Africa (2001)](https://ember.film/movie/1046)

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