Spielzeugland (2007)

A German mother lies to her son about where the Nazis are sending their Jewish neighbors.

Director:

Jochen Alexander Freydank

Writers:

Johann A. Bunners, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Stars:

Julia Jäger, Cedric Eich, Tamay Bulut Özvatan

Won 1 Oscar. Another 22 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Julia Jäger	...	Marianne Meißner
Cedric Eich	...	Heinrich Meißner
Tamay Bulut Özvatan	...	David Silberstein
Torsten Michaelis	...	Herr Silbertein
Claudia Hübschmann	...	Frau Silberstein
David C. Bunners	...	SS-Obersturmführer Falke
Gregor Weber	...	SS-Mann Werner
Jürgen Trott	...	Schutzpolizist
Klaus-Jürgen Steinmann	...	Blockwart
Heike Reichenwallner	...	Nachbarin
Matthias Paul	...	Gestapo Mann

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?

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | jewish | german | flashback | winter | 

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Genres:

Short | Drama | War

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

User Reviews

Emotionally moving and intense short with great storytelling

I didn't expect to be so intensely moved by a short film of merely 12-minute runtime. I knew that it'd be sad just by judging from its description, but the way it achieved to capture the entire story in such a short duration was surely remarkable.

I also admired how it used flashbacks to cement the relationship of the boys while also carrying the plot forward by showing the moments leading up to the present at appropriate intervals.

The scenes of the present benefited from the cinematography and cold colours which helped in building an air of urgency and desperation. On the other hand, the flashbacks employed warmer colours and more relaxed images while also offering an air of the silence before the storm.

Certain scenes of interaction between the characters definitely stood out, notably those involving Henrich and David. Speaking of the kids, I particularly loved their friendship, and it easily made the entire thing even more emotionally touching.

There is a twist towards the end, which thoroughly surprised me because I was too involved in the story.

Also, while others may find the music a little too on the nose, I really did like it.

Overall, I really liked the short, and it drove me to tears.

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:

14 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1