Saturday, February 17, 2007

Run Lola Run


I read a friend's review on this movie recently. It is one of the most original and fascinating films I've ever seen. It presents Lola's 20-min run three times with her different encounters with people which results in a drastically different result. The narrative is 'flat' in a sense that time and space is compressed into a video-game like reality. The sense of speeding is successfully rendered through editing, camera angle, and soundtrack.
Two days ago I found the soundtrack CD in the library and started listening. Then I realized what a key role this soundtrack plays to create the tension and fast-pace throughout the film. It feels particularly great to listen when driving (probably make you speeding :P), as if you yourself are running, identifying with Lola. You are running towards a crucial goal in life, not only a goal in love as shown in the film, but any kind. Our life is a competition we play against time. What's the possible, the impossible, the accidental, the inevitable? Does one second difference lead to a significant difference in consequence? Do you believe in Butterfly Effect?

The theme song Believe by
Franka Potente (who played Lola in the movie) answered those questions. This MTV blends with the movie extracts quite well.


I don't believe in trouble
I don't believe in pain
I don't believe there's nothing left
but running here again

I don't believe in promise
I don't believe in chance
I don't believe you can resist
the things that make no sense

I don't believe in silence
cos silence seems so slow
I don't believe in energy
the tension is too low

I don't believe in panic
I don't believe in fear
I don't believe in prophecies
so don't waste any tears

I don't believe reality would be
the way it should
But I believe in fantasy
the future's understood

I don't believe in history
I don't believe in truth
I don't believe that's destiny
or someone to accuse

I believe, I believe!!!

I want you to try, try
to needing to know why, why
No kidding, no sin, sin
No running, no win, win
I believe!!!

No angels, no girls, girls
No memories, no Gods, Gods
No rockets, no heat, heat
No chocolate, no sweet, sweet
I believe!!!

I want you to try, try
to needing to know why, why
No kidding, no sin, sin
No running, no win, win
No angels, no girls, girls
No memories, no Gods, Gods
No rockets, no heat, heat
No chocolate, no sweet, sweet

No feeling, no secrets...
The silence you feel...
which hides you from
the real...
I want you to try, try
needing to know why, why
[keeps repeating, becomes blurred & indistinguishable....]

I believe, I believe!!!

2 comments:

ptbkr said...

Can I borrow it when you are done?

XENIA said...

sure, i'll bring in Tue. i've seen it a couple of times.