Balloon

'Balloon' is a German historical thriller based on shocking true events and the experiences of the 75,000 GDR citizens that attempted to flee to the west from the 1960s to the 1980s. Set in 1979 in the state of Thüringen, East German, 'Balloon' follows the Strelzyk and Wetzel families, who are desperate to leave the GDR for West Germany. With border security too tight for them to ever dream of making a run for it, they plan to make that escape through simply flying over border patrol in a homemade hot air balloon after Günter Wetzel (David Kross, 'War Horse') reads an article about an annual ballooner's convention held in New Mexico. When their first attempt fails and crash lands, the families are determined to build another and make their escape for good, but the remains of the first balloon alert the East German authorities of their plans. Günter and his wife Petra (Alicia von Rittberg, 'Fury'), and Peter Strelzyk (Friedrich Mücke, 'The Valley') and his wife Doris (Karoline Schuch, 'Willa') must complete their second attempt and flee with their young children before they're caught and captured as traitors to the state.

'Balloon' is directed by Michael Herbig ('Bully & Rick'), and is written by Herbig, Kit Hopkins ('Mounted by the Gods') and Thilo Röscheisen ('Cargo').