Balloon

Set in East Germany during the summer of 1979, this historical thriller follows the Strelzyk and Wetzel families as they attempt to escape to the West. After spending two years constructing a homemade hot air balloon, their first flight ends in a crash shortly before the border. As the Stasi begins an investigation into the failed attempt, the two families must quickly build a second balloon to flee before the secret police locate them.

The film was directed and produced by Michael Herbig, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Kit Hopkins and Thilo Röscheisen. In Herbig's career, this production follows Wickie the Mighty Viking and precedes A Thousand Lines. The main cast includes Karoline Schuch, Friedrich Mücke, Alicia von Rittberg, David Kross, Jonas Holdenrieder, and Tilman Döbler.

A joint production between Germany and France involving StudioCanal, SevenPictures Film, and Sat.1, the movie earned 12 million USD at the worldwide box office. It has received a positive response from viewers, maintaining a rating of 7.5/10 on TMDB based on 498 votes.