Balloon (Ballon)

According to estimates, between 1976 and 1988 alone,

some 38,000 East German citizens failed in their attempts

to flee to the West. At least 462 men, women

and children lost their lives at the border.

They were branded as traitors by the GDR regime.

Based on a true story.

Our homeland

is not only the cities and villages.

City of Poessneck

YOUTH DEDICATION CEREMONY 1979

Our homeland is the grass in the meadow,

the grain in the field,

the birds in the air and the animals of this earth.

YOUR WORLD

And the fish in the river are our homeland.

And we love our beautiful homeland.

Freeze or we'll shoot!

CONSTITUTION OF THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

I said shoot!

Shoot!

Our homeland...

And we protect it, because it belongs to the people.

Because it belongs to the people.

Clap like you mean it. That's your son up there.

He looks like he's having the time of his life.

Thank you, children.

Sing along next time. Maybe you'll have more fun.

Watch it. You've only got one dad. I can make a new son anytime.

Yeah, and maybe he'll laugh at your jokes.

Goethe said that every day, we should hear one pretty song,

read one poem,

see one fine painting

and speak a few sensible words.

But perhaps Lenin put it best:

"Learn, learn, learn."

Today, we recognize you

as adult members of society,

with all of the rights this entails.

Wait for the pointer finger.

And the responsibilities.

Society will demand more from you now.

Just as you have always been able to count on us,

now, we will be counting on you,

whether you take up a hammer, stethoscope, scythe

or even a weapon in the name of freedom and socialism.

This little blue card is of great value.

Not only does it mean you can order three beers in any bar,

it means you're now responsible for your own actions.

And rest assured:

We'll never lose sight of you.

What a relief.

I'd like to ask all our 8th grade students

to stand as we pledge our allegiance to socialism.

Are you ready,

as young citizens of the German Democratic Republic,

to fight and work for the great and noble cause of socialism

and to protect the revolutionary innovations of its people?

If so, then answer with...

Yes, we pledge.

Negotiations with the Soviet Union are underway...

Meissner gave such a lovely speech. He always does.

And you sang well.

This weather is just delightful.

Do you hear that, Beate?

So when are you busting out of here?

What? - For vacation. Where are you going?

Oh. - We're going abroad.

To Bulgaria and the Black Sea.

Nothing but the best.

Don't tell me you haven't booked yet.

If only it were that easy.

Now you're starting to make me mad.

Just go see your neighbors

and say, "Erik, I want to go on vacation."

And then I'll ask, "Where to?" And you'll say...

Say something!

Come on, tell me where you'd like to go.

I don't really know.

Say something really hard to get, like...

Berlin.

Capital of the German Democratic Republic.

Go on. Say something.

I mean, Berlin would be wonderful.

See? And all I have to do is make one phone call

to our comrades in the Travel Bureau, and bam!

The Strelzyk family has a room at the Hotel Stadt Berlin.

And not in some low-level, group-rate room.

You'd be all the way at the top, looking out over West Berlin.

Isn't that right, Beate? - That's right.

I always pack binoculars.

Those are my balloons! Give them back.

The Ministry for State Security thanks you for the ride.

I really was in no shape to drive.

No problem, Mr. Baumann.

Mr. and Mrs. Trommers. Perfect timing.

Do you have plans today? - I'm afraid so.

From now on... just call me Erik.

What an awesome present.

What a cute couple.

I like your new watch too.

Look! They're flying into the West!

That's what we call a violation of airspace.

But don't worry. They're only balloons.

The wind has changed. We need to go see Günter.

Listen, Fitscher, Dad and I will be right back.

Want to come over? - Yes! Why don't you all come?

Great idea. - Today is a day of celebration.

Unfortunately... - Don't be a spoilsport, Peter.

Not today.

Where are you going?

We have to go to the station to pick up my mother-in-law.

But maybe later.

I'll hold you to it.

Did you see my new watch?

Whoa! It's even got a stopwatch.

I want one for my 8th grade graduation too.

Ready, set, go!

It's too risky.

What?

Are you kidding me?

It's not going to work.

But Günter, you planned the whole thing.

It was your idea.

The balloon is ready, all we have to do is get in.

I did all the calculations. It's too dangerous.

We've been waiting weeks for the wind to change.

Now it has. We won't get a better chance.

The balloon isn't big enough.

It's too small for eight people.

I don't believe it.

What about your mother?

You wanted to go over to be with her.

I know, but...

The kids are still so small. If anything happened to them...

I just can't take that chance.

Trust me, Peter,

that thing won't hold us all.

So...

What now?

We're staying here.

Will it hold four people?

Yes, that'll work.

Oh my God.

So what are you going to do?

We'll have to cut ties regardless.

Otherwise, it'll mean trouble for you. No calls, no letters.

Daddy!

How was it with your grandparents? - We flew kites in the clouds.

Oh, hello. You have visitors.

Our friends, Doris and Peter.

Hi. I'm the evil stepfather.

We were on our way out. - Stay. He's just trying to be cute.

I made a roast.

She makes the world's best roast.

Sorry, but we've got to run. It's youth dedication day.

Good luck.

I'm going to jail.

It's only a game.

Is it happening?

Is what happening? - Go to your room, Fitscher.

What's going... - We need to talk to Frank alone.

But why can't I... - Sweetheart, go.

That's dumb. I won't tell you anything anymore either.

What's going on?

They're not coming.

What? Why not?

We're doing it alone.

Tonight.

Really?

Without Günter? - We'll listen to the weather at 6 PM.

If it's clear, I'll drive up and check conditions.

Until then, we pack.

I guess I should get changed.

We're doing the right thing.

Promise me the kids will be safe.

Trust me.

DEAR KLARA,

I'll PROBABLY NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN.

I'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH YOU...

I'm sorry about earlier.

It was supposed to be a surprise.

We're going camping tonight.

Really? Where?

In the woods.

I'll go get Fitscher.

Can I take my bike?

What do you want to do with your bike in the woods at night?

I can go over roots like a BMX rider.

What are you doing?

Cleaning up.

We're not coming back, Doris.

As a kid, I used to cry into my pillow at summer camp.

That's how much it hurt.

I was so incredibly homesick.

The other kids got over it in a couple of days. But mine lasted...

until I got back home.

What took you so long?

We were just tidying up.

I don't want anyone to say I was a bad housewife.

Just keep driving.