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Tom Tykwer's debut, Deadly Maria (MIFF 1995), was an original and arresting film about the possibilities of what would happen if looks really could kill. His follow-up, Winter Sleepers (1997), was an eerie tale of passion, love and death. With Run Lola Run the youthful German director integrates all his prior storytelling expertise with a fabulous narrative technique and ample style to create an adrenaline-fuelled heart-stopper.
Tykwer's premise is simple: Lola and Manni, a couple in their early twenties are deeply in love. Unfortunately for Manni his job entails being a bag man for one very shady boss. When he loses a small fortune of his employer's money, Lola has 20 minutes to act in order to come up with the cash and save Manni's life. What ensues is a breakneck sprint through a ceaseless battery of twists, turns and possibilities. The structure of the film challenges audiences to consider the tiny decisions that affect the entire course of one's life. Winner of the Best Director Award at Sundance and a nominee for the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival.