Nowhere in Africa (AKA Nirgendwo in Afrika subtitles)

I sat completely involved in this story and this family hoping it would continue, even after watching almost 2 hours. The tale begins in Hitlers Germany in the late 1930s. We follow a Jewish family, Walter, Jettel and their daughter Regina, as they seek refuge in Kenya. They have their lives but little else as they acclimate to the heat, disease, language and culture of a primitive environment.

This is not the polished picture of Africa that we see from a Land Rover photographing antelope, giraffe and lions. The African scenery is spectacular, but it is included casually. In part, the authenticity of this film comes from the Directors choice to immerse the film team and actors in the real Africa where small native tribes live and die with rain, drought and meager food. As you might expect, the Making of the Film Special Feature, on the second DVD of the set, is in some ways more interesting than the carefully wrought main storyline. Youll learn about the two areas they chose for filming, Rongail followed by 14 days at Mukutani where they had to build a 40-kilometer road to gain access. And youll understand why the ceremony scenes with the African natives are so valid.

The screenplay is based on Stephanie Zweigs novel by the same name. She captures the spiritual wisdom of the natives as a backdrop to the dynamics between husband, wife and daughter of this middle class (Silesian) European family. There are also two other members of their extended family, Susskind another German expatriate and Owuor their native cook. All of their lives weave together through the plot in unexpected but normal ways that demand your attention. More than a love story, it is a story about people and their love for each other as well as their struggle to remain whoever they are. And there is a subtle naturalness in their personal relationships that is too frequently absent in films produced here.

Caroline Link, the director, also wrote the screenplay. She received an Academy Award for this as the 2002 Best Foreign Language film. It is her sixth film direction effort and her third screenplay. She gives children verbal direction in real time while they perform. Their voices are dubbed later. I dont know if this is normal, but it works in this film flawlessly.

Julian Kohler plays Jettel. In her late 30s, she has had a ten-year career. She has the role of Eva Braun in another German film about Hitlers downfall, due to be released in 2004. Probably the most conflicted character in this film, she delivers the role with a clarity and strength.

Merab Ninidze plays Walter. With more than 15-years in both film and TV, he creates a male polarity in this role that both balances and provides tension for the story.

Karoline Eckertz & Lea Kurka play the daughter, Regina at different ages. This was a first film role for both. Lea picked up Swahili while on site.

Sidede Onyulo plays Owuor, the cook. Two television roles preceded this his first film role.

Matthias Habich plays Susskind, the German expatriate. He is a 30-year veteran of German films and one American film, Enemy at the Gates (2001) the story of dueling snipers.

Reviewed November 26, 2003