Toyland (2007)
"Spielzeugland" (original title)

1942: what happens when a German kid believes that his Jewish neighbors are going to Toyland? A story about lies and guilt.

Director:

Jochen Alexander Freydank

Writers:

Johann A. Bunners, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Stars:

Julia Jäger, Cedric Eich, Tamay Bulut Özvatan

Won 1 Oscar. Another 23 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Julia Jäger	...	Marianne
Cedric Eich	...	Heinrich
Tamay Bulut Özvatan	...	David Silberstein
Torsten Michaelis	...	Herr Silbertein
Claudia Hübschmann	...	Frau Silberstein
David C. Bunners	...	Obersturmführer
Gregor Weber	...	SS-Mann Werner
Jürgen Trott	...	Schutzpolizist
Klaus-Jürgen Steinmann	...	Blockwart
Heike Reichenwallner	...	Nachbarin
Matthias Paul	...	Gestapo - Mann
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
William Woigk

Storyline

On a winter morning, a mother goes to waken her son Heinrich; his bed is empty. She leaves her flat to find him. The neighbors' door, with a Star of David painted on it, is ajar, the furnishings in disarray, the family gone. She asks passersby, runs to the police then on to the rail yard. Flashbacks show that Heinrich and the neighbors' son Paul are six years old and best friends. Paul's family's deportation is expected soon; Heinrich's mother tells her son that they're going to Toyland. Heinrich wants to go with them, has a bag packed, and listens for their departure. His mother realizes he's joined them, and her resolve becomes more urgent. Will she arrive in time to save Heinrich?

---

Plot Keywords:

neighbor | german | flashback | jewish | winter | 

---

Genres:

Short | Drama | War

---

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Toyland

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mephisto Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

13 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This short film is available as a bonus on the Film Movement DVD of Storm (2009).

User Reviews

Good filmmakers don't need a feature to make powerful movies

"Toyland" is a film that works so brilliantly that it managed to be powerful, thought-provoking and even gut-wrenching than most Hollywood films that are 8 to 10 times longer. With sparse dialogue, director Jochen Alexander Freydank keeps us hooked throughout this superb short film.

Set during the Holocaust, a German woman frantically searches for her son, who might have decided to accompany his Jewish neighbors to a Nazi concentration camp because the Jewish family's young son and her son are best friends.

The film is elegantly shot and wonderfully acted. There is more poignancy and true emotion in this film than I have seen in most Hollywood films in recent times.

Director Freydank moves his story along, with us always wondering not only what comes next but how this is going to end. And then comes the denouement: A truly remarkable twist that says much about the human spirit. It is a moment that will break your heart while simultaneously make you smile.

If you have the chance to see this, and the other Oscar-nominated live action shorts, do yourself a favor and watch them. Believe me, it will be time much better spent than, say, on "New In Town" or most any other mainstream Hollywood film.