When does the screening of Walk to Syracuse begin?

The screening begins on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 5:45 PM.

Where does the film screening take place?

The event takes place at the Schauburg Filmpalast, Horster Straße 6, 45897 Gelsenkirchen.

How long is the film?

The film lasts approximately 97 minutes.

How much does a ticket cost?

The regular price is €7.50. Reduced tickets cost €6.50, and for GE-Pass holders, €4.00.

What age is the film suitable for?

Walk to Syracuse is rated suitable for ages 6 and up by the FSK.

Who directed the film?

The film was directed by Lars Jessen. The screenplay was written by Heide Kersten and Andreas R. Kersten based on motifs by Friedrich Christian Delius.

Walk to Syracuse: An emotional cinematic journey between freedom, love, and home

Name: Walk to Syracuse
Start: 2026-11-16T17:45:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-16T19:22:00+01:00
Location: Schauburg Filmpalast

Walk to Syracuse: A cinematic journey between longing and freedom

A man, a big dream, and a state that draws borders not only on maps: The Municipal Cinema shows on November 16, 2026, at the Schauburg Filmpalast Lars Jessen's gripping drama Walk to Syracuse. The screening begins at 5:45 PM and takes us straight into the GDR of 1982, a world of yearning, loyalty, and the risky desire to leave home behind for a moment.

A heartfelt wish with political explosives

Paul Gompitz, played by Charly Hübner, dreams of a journey to Sicily. He wants to follow in the footsteps of the poet Johann Gottfried Seume and reach Syracuse. But Paul lives in the GDR, and all official applications for an exit permit fail. The travel plan turns into a plan to escape – with the unusual intent to return to his wife Anne and Rostock after fulfilling his dream.

Between literary adaptation and road movie

The screenplays by Heide Kersten and Andreas R. Kersten draw on motifs from Friedrich Christian Delius's story The Walk from Rostock to Syracuse. Lars Jessen combines literary adaptation, historical drama, and road movie into a narrative that does not use the history of German division as mere backdrop. The dramaturgy focuses on a man who seeks freedom without giving up his belonging.

A production full of images of longing

The visual design by Kristian Leschner makes the contrast between the cramped reality of the GDR and the expansiveness of Italy palpable. Maps, travel images, and the idea of the Sicilian coast open imaginary spaces in the film. Music, editing, and the understated acting of Charly Hübner and Lina Beckmann give the story a quiet yet emotional tension.

Historical material with contemporary echoes

Walk to Syracuse tells of German history while touching on questions that go beyond the historical situation: What does freedom mean? How far does loyalty reach? And how does a person change when a life dream suddenly appears more important than any security logic? The film explores escape, home, and belonging with subtle humor, great warmth, and a keen eye for contradictions.

A stage experience in the cinema hall

Even though no theater stage in the classical sense defines the space, the film screening unfolds its own theatrical atmosphere: Light, acoustics, large screen, and the concentrated audience reaction transform the cinema hall into a shared resonance space. The Municipal Cinema presents the film in the series New German Film and invites you to a cultural evening between film art, literature, and contemporary history.

Conclusion: A journey that begins in the mind

Visitors can expect a warm-hearted, historically aware drama about longing, courage, and the difficult art of being free without losing all familiarity. Those who appreciate German cinema, strong acting, and literarily inspired stories will experience a moving journey to Syracuse at the Schauburg Filmpalast. Secure the date and let Paul’s unusual departure touch you.