Lauf um dein Leben - Vom Junkie zum Ironman
Germany 2008

Opening 24 Apr 2008

Directed by: Adnan Köse
Writing credits: Fritjof Hohagen, Adnan Köse
Principal actors: Max Riemelt, Jasmin Schwiers, Uwe Ochsenknecht, Axel Stein, Robert Gwisdek

This is based on a true story about German Andreas Niedrig in the mid ‘90s. He was a loser who hung out with his buddies, going nowhere, drinking, shooting up drugs and dealing. His wife quickly became fed up and left him, taking their small daughter. Soon he hit rock bottom, and the only light in so much darkness was the memory of a former coach who had believed in him in earlier, better days. He begins to take charge of his future and convinces the coach to trust in him one more time. Through intensive sport he overcomes his drug habit and works his way into an important Ironman competition. This is definitely not for sissies. The Ironman Triathlon occurs each fall in Hawaii, and athletes must excel in swimming, biking, and running, all in one fell swoop for more than eight hours. Niedrig surprises everyone, being an unknown German among the best. With Max Riemelt as Niedrig and Uwe Ochsenknecht as the coach, director Adnan G. Köse has made a docudrama based on a real life which is interesting and inspirational enough, but I would have liked to have learned more about his sport and training and less about his junkie days. (Becky Tan)