MINUTES      June 12, 2002       Run Lola Run

We began class with the professor giving us a brief discussion of the movie we were about to see, Run Lola Run. The movie was directed by Tom Tykwer, a German director who became known from this movie. We also receive a handout with 5 Questions which pertained to the movie and due for the next class. The questions were as follows:

1.              Run Lola Run tells the same episode three times.

a.  Which elements of the story are exactly the same each time, if any?

b.  Which elements change?

c.  Which elements are found in only one or two of the versions?

2.              What are the themes of this movie? That is what is the film about?

3.              Describe the music. How does it change during the movie or does it?

4.              Describe what you feel are the pivotal scenes in this film? Why do you find these scenes important?

5.              Why is introducing a soccer match an appropriate way to begin the film?

Brief Summary of Run Lola Run

The movie began with a soccer game then changed over to a phone conversation between Manni and Lola. Manni, Lola’s boyfriend, was frantic because he lost 100,000 Marks and feared for his life. He had till noon to turn in the money, about 20 minutes. From this point the remainder of the plot changed three times.

The first time Lola runs to go ask her father for the money. He not only refuses to help her, but also throws her out and tells her not to come back. Then she tries to reach Manni before he robs a store, but she was to late and decides to help him in the robbery. After they robbed the store they try to run from the police. Lola ended up being shot. Then the story starts over again with Lola and Manni in bed together.

The second time Lola goes to her father again, but again he won’t help her. She then decides to take her father hostage and rob a bank where he works. She gets the money and runs to meet Manni. When Manni saw her he started walking towards her and then gets hit by an ambulance. Then the story starts over again, beginning with the bedroom scene.

The third time Lola tries to find her father but she can’t find him. She then comes across a casino and decides to go in. She placed two bets with the money she has on a game of roulette. She very luckily wins both times and gets the money she needs. She then goes to meet Manni but he’s not there. He was chasing the bum who had his money that he lost. He got the money back and returned it to the people. Lola and Manni then meet up and everything was fine.