Product: Nowhere in Africa (2003)
Rating: 5.0
A German Jewish family's traumatic move to Africa.
"Nirgendwo in Afrika" ("Nowhere In Africa") is the compelling story of a German Jewish couple who relocate with their little girl to Africa in the early 1930's. When the Nazis begin their rise to power, Walter Redlich sees the handwriting on the wall. Fearing that he and his family will soon be unable to escape from Germany, he gives up his law practice to manage a farm in Africa. He later sends for his wife, Jettel and his little girl, Regina, who join him in Kenya.Jettel moves to Africa not knowing what to expect. She brings a beautiful evening gown and exquisite china, which are useless in her new home, instead of the practical refrigerator that Walter requests. Jettel cannot believe that she is doomed to live a hardscrabble life as a farmer. Walter is unsympathetic, since he believes that Jettel should be grateful to have left Europe alive. Jettel misses the family that she left behind and she longs for the comforts and familiar routines of her former life in Germany. Walter and Jettel cannot communicate with one another and their marriage begins to disintegrate."Nowhere in Africa" is a richly textured film. The actors, including Juliane Kohler as Jettel Redlich, Merab Ninidze as Walter, Sidede Onyulo as the family's beloved cook and right hand man, Owuor, and Karoline Eckertz as Regina, all deliver heartfelt and nuanced performances. Caroline Link's direction and screenplay are first rate. Link sensitively depicts Regina's relationship with the wise and compassionate Owuor, who becomes her mentor as well as her cherished friend. Jettel, who at first looks down on Owuor and at Africans in general, gradually realizes that there is much beauty in this wild and exotic land, and she comes to love Africa. Gernot Roll's cinematography is exquisite and the background music is evocative and moving. "Nowhere in Africa" will touch you and I guarantee that you will not easily forget the physical and spiritual journey of the Redlich family. This movie subtly demonstrates the pain of being an outsider, the importance of trying to understand people who are different from us, and the advantages of approaching life with an open mind and a caring heart.