Spielzeugland (2007)

Director:

Jochen Alexander Freydank

Writers:

Johann A. Bunners (writer)
Jochen Alexander Freydank (writer)

Genre:

Short | Drama

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Train | Holocaust | Friendship Between Boys | Ruse | Deception

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 21 wins & 2 nominations

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

Also Known As:

Toyland (International: English title) (USA) (literal English title)

Runtime:

USA:13 min | Germany:13 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Mephisto Film

Movie Connections:

Featured in 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) (TV)

seen it before

I just saw Spielzeugland and recognized the whole plot almost from the beginning. I am positive I've seen it before, or read it. Does anyone else remember it? There was a Q&A with the writer and he didn't mention getting the plot from somewhere else. Anyone out there know this story from a maybe book or a t.v. show? That said, I did find it very moving and upsetting. The actress who played the mother did a fine job, as did the piano teacher. People may say holocaust-themed movies are overdone, but I don't think so; that era needs to be kept alive in peoples' minds so that it doesn't fade into oblivion as the final survivors die out. It's hard to believe the entire film is only l4 minutes long.