Experiencing Interruptions?

Berliners

A darkly comedic exploration of midlife ennui. Paxton, an unfulfilled stay-at-home dad, abandons his wife and kids to embark on an undefined period of self-exploration. Lacking the funds for his escape, he persuades his wealthy but aimless and perpetually single friend, Matthew, to bankroll a trip to Berlin by promising to get him laid. What starts as a misguided boys’ trip evolves into an unexpected journey of reckoning and self-discovery.

Technical note: our 4k DCP is optimized for theatrical exhibition with a 1.85:1 flat aspect ratio and 5.1 surround sound. However, the attached screener is optimized for Vimeo in 4k UHD and stereo.

  • Elliot Blitzerhoof
    Director
    First Dates with Toby Harris, This Is Why Eating Healthy Is Hard
  • Elliot Blitzerhoof
    Writer
    First Dates with Toby Harris
  • Elliot Blitzerhoof
    Producer
  • Jon Oswald
    Producer
  • Vlady Oszkiel
    Producer
    Für Umme, Lieblingsmenschen
  • Jon Oswald
    Key Cast
    "George Paxton"
    LOWLIFE, Off Ramp
  • C. Bailey Werner
    Key Cast
    "Matthew Carrington"
    The One You're With
  • Carly Christopher
    Key Cast
    "Ann Paxton"
    Landman
  • Anna Gamburg
    Key Cast
    "Snzejana"
  • Michael Fritz Schumacher
    Key Cast
    "Ricardo"
    Valkyrie, Für Umme
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Comedy
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 28 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 2, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, Germany, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Berlin Independent Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    February 14, 2025
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Elliot Blitzerhoof

Elliot is an American filmmaker currently based in Boulder, Colorado. He received his film degree from Columbia College Chicago in 2008 before packing everything he owned into his red VW Beetle and heading west to pursue a directing career in Los Angeles.

Since then, Elliot has worked in virtually every department on set, from location sound to production design to grip/electric, gaining hands-on experience across the filmmaking process. However, his true passion remains writing, directing, and editing his own projects.

His work includes First Dates with Toby Harris, a Yahoo! Original Series he created, which Mike Hale of The New York Times described as “...a textured, funny yet melancholy slice of life that packs cinematic ambitions into its brief running time.”

Elliot also directed the viral Funny Or Die short This Is Why Eating Healthy Is Hard, which screened at the 2017 Cleveland International Film Festival and has resonated with over 87 million viewers worldwide.

Berliners marks his debut feature film and the first production from his new company, Post Apocalypse Co. Elliot is thrilled to bring his first movie to audiences and is actively developing future projects.

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Director Statement

BERLINERS is a breezy but well-crafted buddy comedy that wears its indie bonafides on its sleeve. 

The heart of the story is about two old friends whose lives went in very different directions after college. Now, approaching 40, they’re both in need of a reset. Not a total overhaul. Just a step away, a breath. 

One of them knows it. That’s Paxton. When we meet him he’s on the brink of a full blown existential crisis.

The other, his friend Matthew, thinks everything is just fine. Nevermind that he’s doing the same shit he’s been doing since college, albeit at a much slower pace, he just doesn’t see it that way. Until this trip shakes him out of his complacency.

Ultimately, this movie is about unremarkable people with very relatable champagne problems. Their lives are enviable, comfortable, and stable. They have everything they need. But of course we all know that’s not really enough for anyone.

I hope what people take away from this movie, aside from just having a good time, is that life is ephemeral, and if someone phones them late at night, suggesting they drop everything and go to Berlin on a whim, they should pack a bag and go.