Name: Walk to Syracuse
Start: 2026-09-02T22:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-03T00:00:00+02:00
Location: filmforum

A poetic escape route between longing and self-assertion

Walk to Syracuse brings one of the most compelling German stories of freedom to the screen at filmforum Duisburg. The film tells the story of Paul Gompitz, who does not run away from the GDR, but returns because an idea of Italy, vastness, and self-determination does not let him go. The source material comes from Friedrich Christian Delius and is inspired by a true story; Lars Jessen combines this into a melancholic, visually powerful tragicomedy with historical resonance. ([filmforum.de](https://filmforum.de/filme/spaziergang-nach-syrakus-51601/))

A story that resonates with freedom

At the center is not a loud outbreak, but a persistent inner movement: the desire to cross borders without losing one's own voice. Paul Gompitz, played by Charly Hübner, emerges as a character balancing cunning, courage, and longing. The direction, according to existing reviews, relies on a mix of character study, travelogue, and tragicomedy; it is precisely this form that opens a quiet but lasting tension in the material. ([filmstarts.de](https://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/1000043972/kritik.html?utm_source=openai))

Theatrical images that linger in the mind

Even though cinema speaks here instead of the theater stage, the film unfolds a strong theatrical atmosphere: character constellations, precise accents in the performance, and a dramaturgy that derives great significance from small gestures. Reviews emphasize the sensitive portrayal of wanderlust, loyalty, and rebellion, as well as the connection between travel documentary motifs and a poetic narrative style. This results in a different kind of stage experience - concentrated, atmospheric, and full of resonance. ([filmstarts.de](https://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/1000043972/kritik.html?utm_source=openai))

filmforum Duisburg as a fitting venue

filmforum Duisburg is considered a traditional place for film culture in the city and presents itself with 1950s flair, two cinemas, and a program beyond the mainstream. Directions from Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz are marked; numerous parking spaces available in the vicinity become free of charge after 8 PM. The box office generally opens 30 minutes before the start of the show. ([duisburg.de](https://www.duisburg.de/tourismus/stadt_erleben/freizeitundaktiv/filmforum))

Conclusion: An evening for all who love cinema with a stance

Walk to Syracuse promises an evening full of longing, political depth, and quiet intensity in Duisburg. Those who value stories about freedom, origins, and self-assertion will experience a clever, finely acted, and atmospherically dense work here. Definitely discover it live at filmforum. ([filmforum.de](https://filmforum.de/filme/spaziergang-nach-syrakus-51601/))