FRITZI – A REVOLUTIONARY TALE

East Germany, 1989. Summertime. No one knows the Iron Curtain is about to fall. When 12-year-old Fritzi’s best friend Sophie goes on vacation to Hungary with her family, she leaves her little dog Sputnik with her. Fritzi lovingly takes care of Sputnik, who misses Sophie a lot. When school starts again in the fall, however, Sophie doesn’t come back. Fritzi has to face up to the fact Sophie’s mother has stayed in Hungary with her daughter, like so many other East Germans hoping to reach the West from there.

By chance, Fritzi stumbles into a demonstration. The people around her are taking a risk and they are committed to changing things in their country. Fritzi gets inspired and now knows exactly what she has to do: She has to help Sputnik to get back to Sophie – no matter what! She got a postcard from Sophie from West Germany, so she has a lead. With the help of her classmate Bela, she tries to follow Sputnik across the heavily-guarded border on her own.

Historically accurate, authentic and with lots of rich period detail and atmosphere, this moving animated film for the whole family retells the story of the peaceful revolution of 1989 from a child’s perspective. An entertaining and exciting tale of the Fall of the Wall, and of the people who were brave enough to change the world, which will make a lasting impression, not only on young viewers.

Director

RALF KUKULA worked for the DEFA Animation Studio from 1987-1991 and founded Balance Film in 1993. His animated films include: THE SANDPIXIES (2008), MY FIRST WEDDING (2008), and FRITZI – A REVOLUTIONARY TALE (2019).

produces and directs animation films and series. He is co-owner of Trickstudio Lutterbeck. His films include: DUSTY DIE HAUSSTAUBMILBE (2003), MARIAS KLEINER ESEL – FLUCHT NACH ÄGYPTEN (2005), WOHIN WILL WILLI? (2008), POST! (2008), DUCK, DEATH AND TULIP (2011), numerous MOLLY MONSTER films, and FRITZI – A REVOLUTIONARY TALE (2019).