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SHADOW TRAIN

By Karl HAUPT

EXPRESSIONIST FILM COMPANY, LTD. - as PROD

Drama - Development 2024

A stolen train makes its way though war-torn Europe during the last few weeks of the Second World War. Shot at, bombed and ambushed by the Allies and Germans alike, the civilian train passengers endure starvation, bitter cold and typhus fever to finally get home after a seemingly endless odyssey.

- Year of production
- 2024
- Genres
- Drama, Epic, Historical
- Countries
- GERMANY, FRANCE, CZECH REPUBLIC, NETHERLANDS
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Budget
- 5 - 10 M$
- Duration
- 100 mn
- Director(s)
- Karl HAUPT
- Writer(s)
- Karl HAUPT
- Producer(s)
- Karl HAUPT (Expressionist Film Company, Ltd.)
- Synopsis
- During the very end of the Second World War. A train steals its way from Czechoslovakia to the Netherlands; a shadowy trip of several weeks that takes huge detours to get to its final destination; a true odyssey across war-torn Europe.
  The train, a stolen steam locomotive and a few box cars, has 200 young forced laborers from the Benelux countries and France on board, who are trying to get home somehow. Also on the train are a young Dutch woman and her Austrian mother, who become vital to the train’s progress, their language and negotiating skills make it possible for the train to cross the various front lines still being fought over.
  The train only travels at night as not to risk being bombed, nonetheless the train is attacked by fighter planes a few times, a horrific experience. During daylight hours the frequently destroyed tracks have to be repaired by the workers, while others are sent out ahead to scout for more damage. The rest of the train community spreads out through the countryside to look for coal and anything edible in a land where very little is to be had.
  But for all the difficulties the train riders encounter, a solution is somehow found. In the end the train arrives in the grandiose central train station of liberated Amsterdam after an almost impossible trip. A true story about determination, humanness and solidarity.
- Beginning of shooting
- Nov 01, 2024
- End of shooting
- Mar 01, 2024