When flame-haired Lola receives a phone call from her boyfriend Manni, she knows she is in trouble. An errand boy for a local criminal, Manni left a bag containing a payment on the subway and he has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 DM or face his ruthless boss. His call sends Lola running against time to get the money. But just when it looks like the story will end in tragedy, it starts all over again – and again – taking a different direction each time and leading to another outcome.

This third film from German writer-director Tom Tykwer won numerous international awards as well as breaking the IFC box-office record. A film basically about love, commitment and destiny, its use of animation, slow motion and video as well as a pulsating soundtrack combine to tremendous effect. In Germany it is regarded as one of the most significant films of recent times, with its memorable imagery being used in advertising, music video, even political campaigning. Also the third in our German film programme, run in conjunction with Elke Hughes, German Advisor to the Dept of Education.

Germany, 1998. English subtitles. Drama/Action. 81 min. Director: Tom Tykwer