Tempo (1996)
An Austrian drama about a daydreaming bicycle messenger whose mysterious new assignment blurs the line between fantasy and reality.
Tempo - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1996
- Directed by: Stefan Ruzowitzky
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 6, 1996 (Austria)
- Production Companies: Dor Film
- Production Countries: Austria
Tempo - Plot
Jojo, a bicycle messenger prone to daydreaming, gets a job offer from a stranger that begins to blur the lines between fantasy and reality. When the route becomes a regular assignment, Jojo finds romance and deadly enemies along the way.
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Tempo - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Stefan Ruzowitzky
Main Cast
- Xaver Hutter
- Simon Schwarz
- Dani Levy
- Nicolette Krebitz
- Michou Friesz
- Doris Schretzmayer
- Klaus Ofczarek
- Hermann Schmid
Writers
- Stefan Ruzowitzky
Producers
- Danny Krausz
- Kurt Stocker
Tempo - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Tempo?
Tempo features Xaver Hutter in the lead role as Jojo, the dreamy bicycle messenger at the heart of the story. He's joined by Simon Schwarz as Bastian, Dani Levy as Bernd, and Nicolette Krebitz as Clarissa, along with Doris Schretzmayer, Klaus Ofczarek, and Hermann Schmid.
What is Tempo about?
Tempo follows Jojo, a bicycle messenger with a head full of daydreams, who accepts a mysterious job offer from a stranger. As the deliveries become a regular gig, the line between fantasy and reality starts to blur — and Jojo finds himself caught between a budding romance and some very dangerous enemies.
Who directed Tempo?
Tempo was directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, who also wrote the screenplay. The Austrian filmmaker would later go on to direct The Counterfeiters (Die Fälscher), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2008, making Tempo an interesting early chapter in his career.
When was Tempo released?
Tempo had its Austrian release on September 6, 1996. It was produced by Dor Film and represents one of Stefan Ruzowitzky's early feature-length works before he gained wider international recognition.
What genre is Tempo?
Tempo is a Drama. The film blends coming-of-age themes with elements of urban adventure and romance, following a young bicycle messenger whose world shifts dramatically when a strange job offer pulls him into an unpredictable mix of fantasy, danger, and unexpected connection.
How long is Tempo?
Tempo runs for 88 minutes — just under an hour and a half. It's a compact, briskly paced drama that keeps things moving, much like its bicycle-messenger protagonist navigating the streets of the city.
What language is Tempo in?
Tempo is an Austrian production spoken entirely in German. If you're watching outside a German-speaking country, you'll likely want to look for a subtitled version to fully enjoy the film's dialogue and character dynamics.
What are some movies similar to Tempo?
If you enjoyed Tempo, you might also like In a Land That No Longer Exists (2022), Happiness for Beginners (2023), or Pillion (2025). Other recommendations include A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025), Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025), and Here (2024) for a similar blend of drama and heart.
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