Product: Nowhere in Africa (2003)
Rating: 4.0
From Germany to Kenya
The story opens in 1938, as Jews Jettel and her daughter Regina are preparing to leave Germany and join her husband who has found work in Kenya. Life on a poor farm in the bush is a shock to the spoiled Jettel, but 5 year old Regina loves it and the people, especially their loyal cook, Owuor. Over the next ten years, the family faces many challenges.This movie is based on the autobiography of the real Regina. With the war as a backdrop, it focuses on the relationship between her parents; she's selfish and stubborn, he's hardworking and loving, and their marriage is a difficult one. Regina has her own adjustments to make when she is sent away to boarding school. The one constant in her life is her beloved friend Owuor, and his scenes were the most touching for me.The movie is gritty and realistic. The actors appear to have no make-up and the photography uses mostly natural light which, unfortunately, made everything in the shadows look inky black. Another drawback for me was the editing; scenes jump from one to the other with no smooth transitions and there are many storylines that are never resolved. Since this is a true story, I would have liked to see an epilogue at the end telling about the family. It also seemed too long for me.It is a very interesting and poignant story about suffering and adjustment that conveys the horror of war without actually showing any footage. In German with subtitles. 3.5 stars.