Run Lola RunRun Lola Run(Lola Rennt)(Lola Rennt)

Tom Tykwer (1998)Tom Tykwer (1998)

Basic PlotBasic Plot The film begins with Lola receiving a phone call from her The film begins with Lola receiving a phone call from her

boyfriend Mani. He was supposed to bring 100,000 marks boyfriend Mani. He was supposed to bring 100,000 marks from a diamond buyer to his boss. When Lola fails to pick from a diamond buyer to his boss. When Lola fails to pick him up due to her scooter being stolen that morning, he had him up due to her scooter being stolen that morning, he had to take the subway. When he sees some ticket controllers on to take the subway. When he sees some ticket controllers on the subway he gets off of the train, accidentally leaving the the subway he gets off of the train, accidentally leaving the bag with the money. The bag is picked up by a homeless bag with the money. The bag is picked up by a homeless man. Mani now has to find 100,000 mark within 20 minutes man. Mani now has to find 100,000 mark within 20 minutes before his boss finds out, and plans to rob nearby before his boss finds out, and plans to rob nearby supermarket. Lola urges him to wait and tells him she will supermarket. Lola urges him to wait and tells him she will organize the money. Lola slams down her phone and starts organize the money. Lola slams down her phone and starts to think about who can possibly help her. to think about who can possibly help her.

The main part of the film is divided in three "runs". Each run The main part of the film is divided in three "runs". Each run starts from the same situation but develops differently and starts from the same situation but develops differently and has a different outcome. Each run contains various flash-has a different outcome. Each run contains various flash-forward sequences, showing how the lives of the people that forward sequences, showing how the lives of the people that Lola bumps into develop after the encounter. In each run, Lola bumps into develop after the encounter. In each run, those people are affected in different ways.those people are affected in different ways.

Main CharactersMain Characters

Lola - Lola - Franka PotenteFranka Potente

Mani - Mani - Moritz BleibtreuMoritz Bleibtreu

Lola’s dad - Lola’s dad - Herbert KnaupHerbert Knaup

Security guard - Security guard - Armin RohdeArmin Rohde

SettingSetting

Berlin, Germany, late 1990s.Berlin, Germany, late 1990s.

Setting is established visually through a Setting is established visually through a helicopter shot which clearly establishes that the helicopter shot which clearly establishes that the film is set in a modern city. Natives to Germany film is set in a modern city. Natives to Germany would recognise the landmarks of Berlin, would recognise the landmarks of Berlin, although the exact location of the city is not although the exact location of the city is not super important as any western city would super important as any western city would suffice as a setting for gangster type action.suffice as a setting for gangster type action.

Opening SequenceOpening Sequence The opening of a film is often the most critical part of the The opening of a film is often the most critical part of the

film. This is where the audience expectations are set up. film. This is where the audience expectations are set up. What narrative possibilities are established in the What narrative possibilities are established in the opening of RLR? What could be about to happen? Why opening of RLR? What could be about to happen? Why do you think this?do you think this?

Consider the following:Consider the following:

TitlesTitlesMusicMusic

Camera movementCamera movementVisual styleVisual style

DialogueDialogue

OpeningOpening TitlesTitles: : Titles tend to spiral in when which may Titles tend to spiral in when which may

be some indication of the cyclic nature of the be some indication of the cyclic nature of the film. Spiralling may suggest that we are always film. Spiralling may suggest that we are always returned to the beginning. We are also returned to the beginning. We are also presented with mug shot style portraits of the presented with mug shot style portraits of the characters which may be an indication the film characters which may be an indication the film involves some sort of a crime.involves some sort of a crime.

MusicMusic: : The music in the opening, much like the The music in the opening, much like the music throughout the film has a relentless, music throughout the film has a relentless, driving beat. This complements the fast pace of driving beat. This complements the fast pace of the film. It may be suggesting that the film is the film. It may be suggesting that the film is going to be about some sort of race or event going to be about some sort of race or event with a frantic pace.with a frantic pace.

Opening cont’Opening cont’ CameraCamera: : The opening camera franticly weaves The opening camera franticly weaves

through an out of focus crowd pointing out specific through an out of focus crowd pointing out specific characters before focusing on the security guard characters before focusing on the security guard who gives us a line of philosophy relevant to the who gives us a line of philosophy relevant to the plotplot.. We get an fast, exciting crane shot above We get an fast, exciting crane shot above Berlin that speedily approaches Lola’s apartment Berlin that speedily approaches Lola’s apartment and zooms through to focus on the phone. This may and zooms through to focus on the phone. This may give the audience the impression this will be a fast give the audience the impression this will be a fast paced film. paced film.

Visual StyleVisual Style: : Visual style is very important in this Visual style is very important in this film. In the short span of time that is the opening film. In the short span of time that is the opening sequence the audience is exposed to animation, sequence the audience is exposed to animation, stills, fast forwards, and very obvious fast paced stills, fast forwards, and very obvious fast paced editing. This may indicate to the audience they editing. This may indicate to the audience they should expect a non-traditional film.should expect a non-traditional film.

Opening cont’Opening cont’ DialogueDialogue: : The first bit of dialogue we hear is a The first bit of dialogue we hear is a

philosophical VO about man being a curious creature. philosophical VO about man being a curious creature. Following this we hear a line of dialogue from the guard Following this we hear a line of dialogue from the guard with the soccer ball suggesting some sort of analogy with the soccer ball suggesting some sort of analogy about life. “The ball is round, the game lasts 90 minutes, about life. “The ball is round, the game lasts 90 minutes, anything else is pure theory”. This could translate as anything else is pure theory”. This could translate as “you are born and after several decades you die, what “you are born and after several decades you die, what happens in-between is unpredictable”. This may be happens in-between is unpredictable”. This may be suggesting the film is about unpredictability in situations. suggesting the film is about unpredictability in situations. The conversation that takes place between Mani and The conversation that takes place between Mani and Lola clearly establishes what the film will be about. Mani Lola clearly establishes what the film will be about. Mani has managed to lose 100,000 marks which he needs to has managed to lose 100,000 marks which he needs to give to his gangster boss at in 20 minutes at 12 noon. give to his gangster boss at in 20 minutes at 12 noon. The film is now clearly going to be about a race against The film is now clearly going to be about a race against time.time.

Opening cont’Opening cont’ Summary:Summary: Although by the end of the opening Although by the end of the opening

sequence the dialogue between Mani and Lola sequence the dialogue between Mani and Lola clearly outlines the plot line elements such as clearly outlines the plot line elements such as the philosophical VO and statement from the the philosophical VO and statement from the guard suggest it may be more complex than guard suggest it may be more complex than that. We are presented with “game like” imagery that. We are presented with “game like” imagery of a character smashing titles with the sound of of a character smashing titles with the sound of breaking glass and lots of different production breaking glass and lots of different production effects. It is clear from the onset that this is not effects. It is clear from the onset that this is not going to be a traditional crime suspense thriller.going to be a traditional crime suspense thriller.

Production ElementsProduction Elements Discuss how each of the following production Discuss how each of the following production

elements enhance the elements enhance the audience’s audience’s engagementengagement with a character in Run Lola with a character in Run Lola Run.Run.

Camera movementCamera movement

Sound (music, dialogue, VO, sfx)Sound (music, dialogue, VO, sfx)

EditingEditing

LolaLola

Clearly Lola is the hero of the film. She is Clearly Lola is the hero of the film. She is portrayed as some sort of modern day female portrayed as some sort of modern day female super heroine. Although she seems to possess super heroine. Although she seems to possess some super human traits such as breaking glass some super human traits such as breaking glass with her voice and bringing people back to life, with her voice and bringing people back to life, it’s her positive attitude and determination that it’s her positive attitude and determination that saves the day. The director clearly wants us to saves the day. The director clearly wants us to align with Lola and her plight.align with Lola and her plight.

Camera MovementCamera Movement

Whenever Lola is running she is filmed Whenever Lola is running she is filmed predominantly with tracking shots. Tracking predominantly with tracking shots. Tracking shots give the audience the feeling that they are shots give the audience the feeling that they are right there alongside Lola. Almost like you are right there alongside Lola. Almost like you are running with her. This type of camera movement running with her. This type of camera movement helps he audience engage in Lola’s journey helps he audience engage in Lola’s journey more so than dolly shots or other type of more so than dolly shots or other type of movement. However the fast editing pace of movement. However the fast editing pace of RLR cuts in lots of different angles/shots to keep RLR cuts in lots of different angles/shots to keep the visual style interesting and fast paced.the visual style interesting and fast paced.

Sound (music, VO, dialogue, sfx) Sound (music, VO, dialogue, sfx) MusicMusic: : The use of the techno sound track The use of the techno sound track

whenever Lola is running reinforces to the whenever Lola is running reinforces to the audience the race against time and the tight audience the race against time and the tight timeline Lola has. We as an audience timeline Lola has. We as an audience understand time is running out and want her to understand time is running out and want her to succeed in her mission.succeed in her mission.

DialogueDialogue: : The dialogue that takes place The dialogue that takes place between Mani and Lola on the phone clearly between Mani and Lola on the phone clearly establishes that Lola is always bailing Mani out establishes that Lola is always bailing Mani out of situations he stupidly gets into. As an of situations he stupidly gets into. As an audience we align with Lola as Mani comes audience we align with Lola as Mani comes across as demanding and selfish.across as demanding and selfish.

Sound (cont’)Sound (cont’) Voice OverVoice Over: : The use of VO whilst Lola is The use of VO whilst Lola is

running demonstrates to the audience that running demonstrates to the audience that she has no grand master plan for this she has no grand master plan for this mission. She is relying on pure chance mission. She is relying on pure chance and her positive attitude to find a solution. and her positive attitude to find a solution. She never gives up, just keeps running She never gives up, just keeps running and “waiting” for an idea, or situation to and “waiting” for an idea, or situation to occur. This helps the audience engage occur. This helps the audience engage with her and feel a sense hope when she with her and feel a sense hope when she stumbles on a potential solution. We want stumbles on a potential solution. We want her optimistic attitude to succeed. her optimistic attitude to succeed.

EditingEditing The editing in RLR is fast paced and significant in The editing in RLR is fast paced and significant in

many ways. The director has used numerous many ways. The director has used numerous editing techniques to help the audience engage with editing techniques to help the audience engage with the characters. When Lola is trying to work out who the characters. When Lola is trying to work out who to approach for the money the fast paced flashing in to approach for the money the fast paced flashing in of different faces, combined with the rotating of different faces, combined with the rotating camera highlights her manic train of thought. The camera highlights her manic train of thought. The audience can see (and hear) her thought process audience can see (and hear) her thought process and understand where she is going which helps and understand where she is going which helps them engage with the story, and character. them engage with the story, and character.

Editing cont’Editing cont’ The 3 way screen split at the end of ‘run one’ is an The 3 way screen split at the end of ‘run one’ is an

effective way to highlight the important factors in the effective way to highlight the important factors in the situation (Lola, Mani, time) and engage the audience at situation (Lola, Mani, time) and engage the audience at this critical point – 12 noon.this critical point – 12 noon.

There are many different edits and cuts while Lola is There are many different edits and cuts while Lola is running in order to show how far she has gone in a running in order to show how far she has gone in a shorter amount of time than reality. There are times shorter amount of time than reality. There are times when Lola is running and the camera is in front of her when Lola is running and the camera is in front of her then it quickly cuts to behind her as if she has just ran then it quickly cuts to behind her as if she has just ran through the camera. Other times it cuts from the front to through the camera. Other times it cuts from the front to the side to give a better picture of where she is actually the side to give a better picture of where she is actually

runningrunning. . The variety in the editing helps keep the The variety in the editing helps keep the audience engaged with Lola’s journey.audience engaged with Lola’s journey.

Audience understandingAudience understanding

With reference to Run Lola Run provide one With reference to Run Lola Run provide one example for each of the following production example for each of the following production elements and explain how contribute to the elements and explain how contribute to the audience’s understanding of the narrative.audience’s understanding of the narrative.

LightingLighting Sound (music, dialogue, sfx, VO)Sound (music, dialogue, sfx, VO)

Camera work/Film techniqueCamera work/Film technique

LightingLighting Bed scenesBed scenes: : The bedroom scenes between each The bedroom scenes between each

run is bathed in a saturated red. Red is symbolic of run is bathed in a saturated red. Red is symbolic of love, passion & anger. In these scenes they are love, passion & anger. In these scenes they are questioning their relationship. The use of the red questioning their relationship. The use of the red wash helps the audience understand the emotions wash helps the audience understand the emotions displayed.displayed.

Video ScenesVideo Scenes:. The scene in the bank is lit ( and :. The scene in the bank is lit ( and coupled with the medium of video) to appear harsh coupled with the medium of video) to appear harsh and cold, much like the relationship between Lola’s and cold, much like the relationship between Lola’s father and his lover. As this is so visually different to father and his lover. As this is so visually different to the rest of the film, which is lit naturalistically, the the rest of the film, which is lit naturalistically, the audience is forced to pay attention to the discussion audience is forced to pay attention to the discussion between the lovers and understand the impact on between the lovers and understand the impact on Lola’s plight.Lola’s plight.

Sound Sound (music, dialogue, VO, sfx)(music, dialogue, VO, sfx) DialogueDialogue:: The conversation which takes place on the The conversation which takes place on the

telephone at the beginning of the film is integral to the telephone at the beginning of the film is integral to the audience’s understanding of the narrative. It clearly audience’s understanding of the narrative. It clearly establishes the problem, how it was created and what establishes the problem, how it was created and what needs to be done to resolve it. This is particularly needs to be done to resolve it. This is particularly important in what is essentially a 20 min film (3 times). important in what is essentially a 20 min film (3 times). We don’t have time to waste and need to engage the We don’t have time to waste and need to engage the audience immediately.audience immediately.

SFXSFX: : After the first run, when Lola is shot, Mani’s gun After the first run, when Lola is shot, Mani’s gun makes an unexpected noise when it hits the ground. makes an unexpected noise when it hits the ground. Almost like the sound of failure. This may have ben used Almost like the sound of failure. This may have ben used to highlight to the audience that this is not an acceptable to highlight to the audience that this is not an acceptable

outcomeoutcome. . NB: It may just be the sound slowed down but the NB: It may just be the sound slowed down but the

director has left it in for a reason.director has left it in for a reason.

Camera work / Film techniqueCamera work / Film technique Camera workCamera work:: After Mani and Lola escape from After Mani and Lola escape from

the supermarket and are surrounded by the police the supermarket and are surrounded by the police the camera does a full 360 degree rotation about the camera does a full 360 degree rotation about them. This helps the audience to understand that them. This helps the audience to understand that they are surrounded and have no escape route, or they are surrounded and have no escape route, or choice but to give up.choice but to give up.

Film stockFilm stock: : Although the majority of the film is shot Although the majority of the film is shot on standard 35mm film the scenes that do not on standard 35mm film the scenes that do not directly involve Lola or Mani are shot on video. The directly involve Lola or Mani are shot on video. The striking difference in visuals forces the audience to striking difference in visuals forces the audience to pay attention to the content of the conversations in pay attention to the content of the conversations in these scenes and how they impact on Lola’s journey these scenes and how they impact on Lola’s journey and it’s outcome.and it’s outcome.

Cause and EffectCause and Effect A narrative generally begins with a A narrative generally begins with a

situation, then a series of changes occur situation, then a series of changes occur according to a pattern of cause and effect.according to a pattern of cause and effect.

With reference to With reference to Run Lola RunRun Lola Run, discuss , discuss two two examples to show how cause and examples to show how cause and effect contributes to the way the narrative effect contributes to the way the narrative has been set out or organisedhas been set out or organised. .

Cause and EffectCause and Effect Lola goes to shops to get cigarettes, leaves moped Lola goes to shops to get cigarettes, leaves moped

outside and it gets stolen outside and it gets stolen (Cause)(Cause) Lola is not there to pick up Mani at the designated Lola is not there to pick up Mani at the designated

point. point. (Effect)(Effect) Mani takes the train but panics when the guards get Mani takes the train but panics when the guards get

onboard onboard (Cause)(Cause) Mani leaves the money on the train Mani leaves the money on the train (Effect)(Effect) Tramp takes the money Tramp takes the money (Cause)(Cause) Mani has to find 100,000 marks within 20 minutes Mani has to find 100,000 marks within 20 minutes

when he is meant to meet his boss when he is meant to meet his boss (Effect)(Effect)

Sequence QuestionSequence Question Select a sequence from Select a sequence from Run Lola RunRun Lola Run and and

discuss with examples how any discuss with examples how any fourfour of the of the following elements following elements contributed to the contributed to the effectivenesseffectiveness of that sequence. of that sequence.

• Camera/Film techniques.Camera/Film techniques.• Sound (music, dialogue, sfx, voice over).Sound (music, dialogue, sfx, voice over).

• EditingEditing• Developing storyline.Developing storyline.

• Character developmentCharacter development• Creating suspenseCreating suspense

Supermarket Escape sequenceSupermarket Escape sequence Camera/Film techniquesCamera/Film techniques: : As Lola and Mani exit As Lola and Mani exit

the supermarket the camera is following them from the supermarket the camera is following them from a distance which leaves the audience wondering if a distance which leaves the audience wondering if they are being pursued. This is effective in adding they are being pursued. This is effective in adding to the suspense. Will they get away? Once they to the suspense. Will they get away? Once they are stopped by the police blockades at either end are stopped by the police blockades at either end of the street the camera does a full 360 degree of the street the camera does a full 360 degree rotation around them demonstrating that there is no rotation around them demonstrating that there is no escape route; they are surrounded by walls or escape route; they are surrounded by walls or police. This is effective in communicating to the police. This is effective in communicating to the audience their predicament and questioning how audience their predicament and questioning how they will escape.they will escape.

Supermarket Escape sequenceSupermarket Escape sequence Sound (music, dialogue, sfx, voice over)Sound (music, dialogue, sfx, voice over): : As As

Mani and Lola run out of the supermarket the first thing Mani and Lola run out of the supermarket the first thing the audience notices is the distinct change in the style and the audience notices is the distinct change in the style and pace of the music. We move from the fast paced, driving pace of the music. We move from the fast paced, driving techno to a laid back, relaxing jazz track, “What a a techno to a laid back, relaxing jazz track, “What a a difference a day makes”. This lulls the audience into a difference a day makes”. This lulls the audience into a sense of security. They are led to believe that the sense of security. They are led to believe that the characters have escaped without consequence and will characters have escaped without consequence and will complete their mission however the sound of police sirens complete their mission however the sound of police sirens soon permeate through the song and we are reminded soon permeate through the song and we are reminded that their illegal activities have consequences. The drastic that their illegal activities have consequences. The drastic change in the music gives the audience a break and a change in the music gives the audience a break and a chance to relax for a moment. This is effective method to chance to relax for a moment. This is effective method to manipulate the audience’s emotions.manipulate the audience’s emotions.

Supermarket Escape sequenceSupermarket Escape sequence EditingEditing:: Some of the most effective editing in this Some of the most effective editing in this

sequence is once they are surrounded by police. When sequence is once they are surrounded by police. When Mani throws the bag into the air everything goes into slow Mani throws the bag into the air everything goes into slow motion. The slow motion is an effective mechanism to motion. The slow motion is an effective mechanism to highlight the tragedy of this ‘run’. We cut from the ascending highlight the tragedy of this ‘run’. We cut from the ascending bag, to the police officer firing his gun accidentally while bag, to the police officer firing his gun accidentally while watching the bag, to a FS of Lola being shot in the chest watching the bag, to a FS of Lola being shot in the chest and falling to the ground. This is not an outcome the and falling to the ground. This is not an outcome the audience is expecting and the slow motion extends the audience is expecting and the slow motion extends the tragedy of the situation; the heroine of the story has been tragedy of the situation; the heroine of the story has been killed, we assume, by a most un heroic character by killed, we assume, by a most un heroic character by accident about thirty minutes into the film! Most audiences accident about thirty minutes into the film! Most audiences are confused about where the story could go now.are confused about where the story could go now.

Supermarket Escape sequenceSupermarket Escape sequence Developing storylineDeveloping storyline:: This is one of the pivotal This is one of the pivotal

points in the storyline. They achieve one of the points in the storyline. They achieve one of the key goals outlined in the opening: get 100,000 key goals outlined in the opening: get 100,000 marks in 20 minutes or Mani dies. This is short marks in 20 minutes or Mani dies. This is short lived though as they lose the money (thrown to lived though as they lose the money (thrown to police) and Lola is killed (we assume). The whole police) and Lola is killed (we assume). The whole point of the film is to explore choices and the point of the film is to explore choices and the notion of chance vs. fate. The audience is not notion of chance vs. fate. The audience is not expecting to be returned to the beginning so expecting to be returned to the beginning so having the heroine killed, yet able to return to the having the heroine killed, yet able to return to the starting point for another journey is an effective starting point for another journey is an effective way of continuing the exploration of chance vs. way of continuing the exploration of chance vs. fate.fate.

Supermarket Escape sequenceSupermarket Escape sequence Character developmentCharacter development: : At this point in the film At this point in the film

the audience has very definite impressions of our the audience has very definite impressions of our two main characters. When they first exit the two main characters. When they first exit the supermarket the production elements allude that supermarket the production elements allude that they are successful and our impression of Lola they are successful and our impression of Lola and her ‘can do’ attitude is raised higher. When and her ‘can do’ attitude is raised higher. When she is shot the audience is left feeling confused; she is shot the audience is left feeling confused; the good person isn’t mean to die. In some ways the good person isn’t mean to die. In some ways her ability to cheat death and get to ‘start’ again her ability to cheat death and get to ‘start’ again makes the scene more effective as it develops her makes the scene more effective as it develops her character’s determination and positive attitude character’s determination and positive attitude even further. even further.

Supermarket Escape sequenceSupermarket Escape sequence Creating suspenseCreating suspense:: The creation of suspense is The creation of suspense is

achieved through a number of production elements in this achieved through a number of production elements in this sequence. It is interesting that the director forces the sequence. It is interesting that the director forces the audience to relax (through the contrast in music) as they audience to relax (through the contrast in music) as they leave the supermarket before launching them into what leave the supermarket before launching them into what seems a hopeless situation for Lola and Mani as they are seems a hopeless situation for Lola and Mani as they are surrounded by police. The contrast adds to the intensity of surrounded by police. The contrast adds to the intensity of the suspense making it more the sequence more effective. the suspense making it more the sequence more effective. The use of the slow motion as they are surrounded also aids The use of the slow motion as they are surrounded also aids in creating suspense by prolonging the outcome of the in creating suspense by prolonging the outcome of the situation. It seems to take forever for Lola to hit the ground situation. It seems to take forever for Lola to hit the ground after being shot leaving the audience with time to ponder after being shot leaving the audience with time to ponder where the narrative could possibly go now, which adds to where the narrative could possibly go now, which adds to the effectiveness of the sequence.the effectiveness of the sequence.