Lantern

Leopold Schraudolph

Allemagne / 2025 / Fiction / 7’15”I2603434

Lantern
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SYNOPSIS

[EN] In a grim factory world ruled by a cold-hearted Sentinel, children slave away under constant watch. But one 14-year-old girl dares to dream. Each night, she gazes at the stars through a crack in the ceiling, longing for freedom. In secret, she crafts a key - only to be caught mid-escape and dragged back into line. One night, everything changes. The Sentinel's lantern flickers lucidly, seemingly communicating with her. Might something be trapped within the iron cage? She grabs the lantern and runs. The Sentinel gives chase. He is all but upon her when the lantern bursts alive with terrible intent. Its light flares, blinding him. Burning him. He lies on the floor, scorched. Under excruciating pain, he lifts his arm, revealing the same tattoo the children bear. Still, the girl makes her choice. She steps outside the factory, lifts the lantern, and sets the glowing being within free. Drawn upward by its magic, she rises, becoming a streak of light in the sky. She joins the stars - no longer a prisoner, but a beacon of hope.

GÉNÉRIQUE