Product: Nowhere in Africa (2003)
Rating: 5.0
Powerful and moving story of self-discovery.
Nothing in the previews prepared me for the power of this film. The story is relatively straightforward - a Jewish family moves to Africa to avoid the coming war. What isn't straigtforward is the complexity of the characters and their growth in spirit as they adapt to the changes in their lives.The husband/father is compasionate and caring, not just to his family but to the Africans and others who help him. The wife/mother begins as a very spoiled, elitist who is forced to re-evaluate herself, her relationship with her husband, the people and country of Africa. The daughter grows in both body and spirit, adjusting almost too well to the new situation. Of the 3, she is the most grounded in reality and is wise beyond her years.The focus of the film is not the war itself but it's impact on this family. There are moments of joy, more of tears and many of deepness but this is not a depressing film. Just the opposite. I left with more respect for what these people did and how they adjusted to the changes in their lives, as well as a greater appreciation for the fact that I have never had to face some of the issues that the characters do.This is not a war movie, nor a movie about Judaism. It is a glimpse into the lives of people forced to make drastic changes in their lives and how they learn about each other and themselves.This is definitely "Best Picture" material!