Greetings again from the darkness. The film opens with data points of 1967 East Germany. 300 watchtowers, 65 miles of trenches, hidden bunkers, 11,000 armed guards, and hundreds of “ordinary” people shot down trying to escape a communist regime shielded by a 96 mile concrete wall.
From the ominous statistics, we cut to the back of a delivery truck where two men, a woman, and a baby are hiding away in the back, trying to be as quiet as possible. It’s not just their hopes for freedom at stake, it’s their lives. From inside the truck, we experience a roadside security stop. Of course the concern is for an unpredictable cry from the sleeping baby, however, it’s an unexpected twist that creates a “no win” situation.
Director Patrik Krivanek (using black and white film) and writer Rik Hulme generate an inordinate amount of tension in a mere 3.5 minutes. We see human nature at its most extreme – desperate for freedom, fearful of danger, and unaware as natural survival and defensive instincts take over. This is very impactful filmmaking.
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