When does the screening take place?

The screening begins on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:15 PM and is expected to end around 7:45 PM.

Where is Walk to Syracuse being shown?

The film is running at filmforum at Dellplatz 16 in 47051 Duisburg.

How long is the film?

Walk to Syracuse has a duration of 97 minutes.

What is the age rating for the film?

The film is rated in Germany for ages 6 and up.

How much does a regular ticket cost?

The regular admission price from Tuesday to Sunday is €9.90 according to the available event information.

Who plays the lead roles?

Charly Hübner plays Paul Gompitz, and Lina Beckmann plays Anne Gompitz in the lead roles. Directed by Lars Jessen.

Walk to Syracuse: A Quiet Dream Defies the Great Border

Name: Walk to Syracuse
Start: 2026-10-01T18:15:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-01T19:45:00+02:00
Location: filmforum

Walk to Syracuse: A Longing for Freedom at filmforum Duisburg

A man, a dream, and a border that watches every step: On October 1, 2026, filmforum Duisburg will show Lars Jessen's moving drama Walk to Syracuse. Charly Hübner plays Paul Gompitz, who dreams of a trip to Sicily in East Germany in 1982 and insists on his unusual life plan despite official rejections.

A travel plan becomes an act of resistance

Paul Gompitz lives in Rostock, works on a sightseeing boat, and finds an escape from everyday life in literature. Inspired by Johann Gottfried Seume's journey to Syracuse, he develops a desire to set off for Italy. However, East Germany denies him any legal exit. A literary longing evolves into a risky escape plan.

Between the Baltic Sea, Sicily, and inner freedom

The production combines tragicomedy, love story, and German contemporary history. At its center is not only the political border but also the question of what a person dares when a personal dream becomes bigger than the fear of consequences. Paul wants to see the world while also returning to his wife Anne and his homeland.

Charly Hübner in a multifaceted lead role

Charly Hübner portrays Paul Gompitz as a contradictory figure: humorous, persistent, vulnerable, and driven by a deep inner unrest. Lina Beckmann plays Anne Gompitz, who stands between closeness, trust, and the danger of loss. The acting skills of both lead actors lend emotional precision and a subtle tension to the film.

Dramaturgy between humor and historical reality

Director Lars Jessen tells the story based on motifs from Friedrich Christian Delius, drawing on a real escape and return story. The dramaturgy relies on contrasts: everyday situations collide with political threats, comedic moments with existential decisions. This creates a stage experience in a metaphorical sense, even though the filmic action utilizes the screen as its actual playing field.

A sensual cinematic experience at filmforum

The imagery leads from the northern German coastal landscape to the Mediterranean imagination of Sicily. Light moods, landscapes, and the acoustic design make Paul's yearning for distant places physically tangible. With a runtime of 97 minutes and a rating suitable for ages 6 and up, the film is suitable for a wide audience interested in German history, literary adaptations, and strong characters.

Conclusion: A film about courage, love, and the freedom of thought

Walk to Syracuse promises an intense stage experience on the big screen: a finely observed tragicomedy about East Germany, longing, and the price of personal freedom. Those who appreciate historical subjects, strong character acting, and poetic storytelling cinema will experience an evening full of tension, warmth, and resonance at filmforum Duisburg.