Run Lola Run is a 1998 crime/drama about a botched money delivery, where Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.
The Story: Run Lola Run, known by its German name Lola Rennt, is a 1998 German thriller starring Franka Potente as Lola and Moritz Bleibtreu as her troubled love interest Manni. The film is a surreal, fast-paced piece of action set on the grimy streets of 90s Berlin, as Lola attempts to secure 100,000 Deutsche Marks in 20 minutes in order to save Manni’s life.
The money is needed so urgently because Manni botched a pickup job he was assigned by local gangsters, resulting in him leaving the 100,000 on a train by accident. The film follows 3 possible scenarios in 3 alternate universes in which Lola attempts to secure the money, with the plot of the film resetting to the beginning of her quest at the end of each sequence.
The film has since garnered a strong cult following and has entered the annals of one of the most iconic German films of all time, having been spoofed countless times in the 20 years since the original release.
The Rundown: Run Lola Run is one of the earliest and best-known works of arthouse director legend Tom Twker and was shot on a shoestring budget of $1.75 million dollars in and around the central neighborhoods of Berlin, now a popular filming spot. The premise and style of the film were considered groundbreaking upon release, with the unique plot device of re-setting the short-lived action after each sequence going on to be copied by filmmakers the world over.
The film provided breakout roles for the two young leading cast members Potente and Bleibtreu, who have since gone on to enjoy glittering careers. Potente undoubtedly made the biggest success out of the role, going on the star in a number of successful Hollywood films as well as prominent roles in prime time TV series such as American Horror Story. Bleibtreu enjoyed moderate success abroad following the release of the film, but much of his most prominent work was and continues to be focused on German audiences.
There are many aspects which make the film as endlessly rewatchable as it is. The dialogue between the two lovers, especially during the cut-scenes when they ponder philosophical questions in bed together, is incredibly well-written and tenderly shot. Most important of course are the running scenes. The three sequences which explore the different paths of action Lola can take to secure the money, ranging from stealing, to asking her father for it, to gambling big in a casino in the hopes of winning f100,000 Deutsche Marks, are compact and jam-packed with heart-racing action, making it incredibly difficult to look away from the screen for even a moment.
The film approaches the complex themes of free will and determinism, asking the question of whether or not we truly control our own fates by pitting Lola against the cosmic forces of the universe in a life-or-death scenario. The film is also notable for its raw shots of the Berlin urban landscape of the late 1990s, just before massive gentrification transformed the neighbourhoods of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Mitte where most of the action is filmed.
The Moment: Now let’s talk about that scream, which the Doha Film Institute reckons is one of the most iconic moments on screen. Lola actually screams several times throughout the film, but the scene in the casino is undoubtedly the moment which best encapsulates the artistry of Run Lola Run.
In this scene, Lola has barged her way into a glamorous, upscale casino in central Berlin, in the hopes of winning big at the roulette table and bagging the 100,000 Marks she needs to save her boyfriend’s life. She managed to secure a 100-mark betting chip, despite not having enough money to actually pay for it, and bets it all on 20-black twice in the hopes that the stars will align and she’ll bag that jackpot. Her ear-piercing scream dominates the entire scene, which goes on throughout the duration of the spin, even shattering objects on the casino floor, and causing mild discomfort to her fellow gamblers.
This is definitely one of the most surreal scenes ever to be set inside a casino, which probably explains why casino giant Betway ranked it among their most significant casino moments of all time. But what does it mean? The scream comes here, as it does throughout the film, in response to the deep tension and pressure Lola is feeling. It occurs at the precise moment when she appears most at the mercy of blind fate, yet the scream ensures that the wheel of fortune (of roulette) lands firmly in her favour. Her scream is the physical act of rejecting the random forces of nature and represents Lola as a woman firmly in control of her own destiny in the face of inexplicable chaos.
The high-decibel scream barely registers a comment from those around her, despite being loud enough to shatter glass. This is in fitting with the highly-unreal nature of the film as a whole, which leaves the viewer constantly pondering whether what they just witnessed is part of the scenario that “actually” occurred in Lola’s life.
Why It Matters: It matters simply because it answers the key question posed by the film; are we in control of our fate? While much of the action would suggest we are not, Lola’s scream indeed tells us that through sheer will, we can reassert control over our lives, regardless of the external forces of nature.