Spaziergang nach Syrakus Review: Charly Hübner's East German Journey Lacks Drama
In 1982, Paul Gompitz, a waiter in Rostock played by Charly Hübner, dreams of traveling to Syracuse, Sicily, but is denied permission by East German authorities. His secret plan to flee across the Baltic Sea, hidden for years from his wife Anne (Lina Beckmann), drives Lars Jessen's film Spaziergang nach Syrakus. Based on F.C. Delius's story, itself inspired by Klaus Müller's 1988 escape, the film is criticized as leisurely and dramatic-less, with plot holes and an unnecessary altered ending. Hübner, a familiar chronicler of East German life, and Beckmann struggle against an unconvincing character arc.
Key facts
- Charly Hübner plays Paul Gompitz, a Rostock waiter who in 1982 wants to travel to Syracuse, Italy.
- The film is directed by Lars Jessen and is based on F.C. Delius's story of the same name.
- The story is inspired by the 1988 escape of East German citizen Klaus Müller.
- Hübner's real wife Lina Beckmann plays Anne, Gompitz's wife.
- The reviewer criticizes the film for being too leisurely and lacking drama.
- The film changes the ending of the source material, which the reviewer considers unnecessary.
- Hübner is known for portraying East German characters in numerous films and series.
- Gompitz considers fleeing across the Baltic Sea as an alternative route to Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Charly Hübner
- Lina Beckmann
- Lars Jessen
- F.C. Delius
- Klaus Müller
- Johann Gottfried Seume
- Volker Sievert
Institutions
- DDR (East Germany)
- Pandora Film
Locations
- Rostock
- Germany
- Mecklenburg
- Syracuse (Syrakus)
- Sicily
- Italy
- Baltic Sea
- East Germany (DDR)