The Runaway (2004)
"Ausreisser" (original title)

On a winter day, Walter Dahlman is getting ready for a job interview; he's an unemployed architect in Hamburg. As he leaves his flat with little time to spare, a boy of about eight stops ... See full summary »

Director:

Ulrike Grote

Writer:

Linus Foerster

Stars:

Peter Jordan, Maximilian Werner, Monica Bleibtreu

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Peter Jordan	...	Walter Dahlmann
Maximilian Werner	...	Yuri Rosenbauer
Monica Bleibtreu	...	Frau Hasser
Albert Niehörster	...	Portier
Burghart Klaußner	...	Born
Hermann Lause	...	Benthin
Marion Martienzen	...	Ärztin
Stephan Benson	...	Dr. Reinhardt
Meike Kircher	...	Geliebte Born
Julia Malik	...	Krankenschwester
Markus Biela	...	Dpouble Yuri

Storyline

On a winter day, Walter Dahlman is getting ready for a job interview; he's an unemployed architect in Hamburg. As he leaves his flat with little time to spare, a boy of about eight stops him in the hall and asks for a ride to school. Walter doesn't know the lad, who says he's Yuri. The boy is persistent; Walter, who has only a bicycle, ends up giving Yuri a lift to school. The boy calls him "Daddy," and it's just the beginning of Walter's trials and tribulations. Who is the boy, where is his mother, and why Walter?

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Plot Keywords:

school | job interview | bicycle | architect | flat | 

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

19 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Runaway

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmstudium Universität Hamburg, Hamburger Filmwerkstätten e.V.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

23 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2006)

User Reviews

Ambitious and original - we need more of these.

I came across this film on a compilation DVD of several other Oscar nominated shorts. This was by far my favorite. It felt like a complete story. It took me somewhere and left me with something to think about. As a big fan of David Lynch, I prefer to be challenged and participate in the storytelling and perhaps come to my own conclusion about "what it all means". This film afforded me that opportunity as short films rarely do. I was initially surprised that this great little piece didn't win the Oscar, but perhaps it was too good... and maybe this way the filmmakers will find themselves in better company (Kubrick, Hitchcock, Coens, etc.).