Gigantic (1999)
A gentle, funny farewell to youth — three Hamburg friends face the moment one of them decides to leave everything behind.
Gigantic - Movie Information
- Original Title: Absolute Giganten
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Sebastian Schipper
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 30, 1999 (Germany - 6), January 21, 2000 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: 절대 거인 (KR)
- Production Companies: X Filme Creative Pool, NDR, ARTE
- Production Countries: Germany
Gigantic - Plot
The Hamburg friends Walter, Ricco and Floyd take each day as it comes between the estates of tower blocks and fast food restaurants. All three are in their early twenties and are dreaming of another life when Floyd suddenly takes a job on a freighter going to Singapore.
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Gigantic - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sebastian Schipper
Main Cast
- Frank Giering
- Florian Lukas
- Antoine Monot Jr.
- Julia Hummer
- Jochen Nickel
- Albert Kitzl
- Hannes Hellmann
- Gustav Peter Wöhler
- Peter Franke
- Guido A. Schick
Writers
- Sebastian Schipper
Producers
- Stefan Arndt
- Tom Tykwer
Gigantic - FAQs
What is Gigantic about?
Gigantic follows three young Hamburg friends — Floyd, Ricco, and Walter — drifting through their early twenties between tower blocks and fast food joints. When Floyd suddenly decides to ship out to Singapore on a freighter, the film becomes a tender, funny farewell to youth, friendship, and the lives left behind.
Why does Floyd decide to leave for Singapore?
Floyd's decision to take a job on a freighter bound for Singapore feels less like a plan and more like an impulse — a restless desire for something beyond the Hamburg estates he's always known. The film keeps his motivations deliberately vague, letting the bittersweet mood of departure speak louder than any explanation.
Is Gigantic a road movie?
In spirit, yes. Though the trio mostly stays within Hamburg, Gigantic has the restless, wandering soul of a road movie — the trio roams the city's outskirts, killing time and soaking up a world they're about to lose. The film was even tagged with the road movie keyword by audiences who felt that drifting energy throughout.
Where can I watch Gigantic online?
You can check current streaming availability for Gigantic on JustWatch, which tracks where the film is available to rent, buy, or stream in your region. Options can change over time, so it's worth checking for the latest listings.
Who are the main actors in Gigantic?
The three leads are Frank Giering as Floyd, Florian Lukas as Ricco, and Antoine Monot Jr. as Walter. Julia Hummer also appears as Telsa. The cast brings a natural, lived-in chemistry that gives the film much of its warmth and believability.
Who directed Gigantic and what else has he made?
Sebastian Schipper directed and wrote Gigantic, his feature debut. He later became widely known for Victoria (2015), a remarkable single-take thriller also set in Germany's nightlife. Gigantic already showed his gift for capturing youth, friendship, and urban atmosphere with an effortless, unforced touch.
How was Gigantic received by critics?
Gigantic earned warm notices on the international festival circuit, praised for its relaxed naturalism and the easy chemistry between its three leads. Critics appreciated Schipper's light touch with melancholy — the film never forces its emotions, letting the friendship and the looming farewell breathe at their own quiet pace.
What are some films similar to Gigantic?
If Gigantic resonated with you, try Goodbye Berlin (2016) or A Coffee in Berlin (2012) for more German coming-of-age drift, or Berlin Blues (2003) for a similar urban-friendship mood. Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets (2020) and Stealing Beauty (1996) also share that unhurried, bittersweet atmosphere.
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