Nowhere in Africa
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| Nowhere in Africa | |
|---|---|
 Original movie poster |
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| Directed by | Caroline Link |
| Produced by | Peter Herrmann |
| Written by | Caroline Link, Stefanie Zweig |
| Starring | Juliane Köhler, Merab Ninidze |
| Distributed by | Zeitgeist Films |
| Release date(s) |  27 December 2001 7 March 2003 (NYC only) 14 March 2003 (LA only) 7 March 2003 (To. only) 4 April 2003 17 April 2003 |
| Running time | 141 min |
| Language | German / English / Swahili |
| Budget | €7 million |
| IMDb profile | |
Nowhere in Africa (German: Nirgendwo in Afrika) is a 2001 German film directed by Caroline Link and based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Stefanie Zweig. It tells the story of a Jewish family that emigrates to Kenya during World War II to escape the Nazis and run a farm. The film won an 2002 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Tagline: Sometimes home is where you least expect it.
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[edit] Synopsis
In 1938 the Redlich family flees to Kenya from Nazi Germany to escape the increasing persecution of the Jews. Walter, a former lawyer, finds work as a farm manager and sends for his family. His wife Jettel has trouble adjusting to life in Africa, although their daughter Regina quickly adapts to her new environment, easily learning the language of the country and showing interest in local culture. Regina soon forms a close friendship with the farm's cook, Owuor.
When war breaks out, the British round up all German citizens, and hold them, whether Jew or gentile, separating men from women. The Redlichs' marriage begins to deteriorate. Jettel sleeps with a German-speaking British soldier to secure work and a home on a farm for the family, and Regina and Walter both find out.
Walter decides to join the British army and wants Jettel to go to Nairobi with him, but she refuses and stays to run the farm with Owuor. By the end of the war, Jettel does not want to leave Africa, even though Walter is offered a position as a judge in post-war Germany.
[edit] Cast
- Juliane Köhler – Jettel Redlich
- Merab Ninidze – Walter Redlich
- Sidede Onyulo – Owuor
- Matthias Habich – Süsskind
- Lea Kurka – Regina (younger)
- Karoline Eckertz – Regina (older)
- Gerd Heinz – Max
- Hildegard Schmahl – Ina
- Maritta Horwarth – Liesel
- Regine Zimmermann – Käthe
- Gabrielle Odinis – Dienstmädchen Klara
- Bettina Redlich – Mrs. Sadler
- Julia Leidl – Inge
- Mechthild Grossmann – Elsa Konrad
- Joel Wajsberg – Hubert
[edit] Awards
- Deutscher Filmpreis ("German Film Award": "Golden Lola") 2002
- Best Film
- Best Cinematography: Gernot Roll
- Best Director: Caroline Link
- Best Music: Niki Reiser
- Best Supporting Actor: Matthias Habich
- Bayerischer Filmpreis ("Bavarian Film Award") 2002
- Best Production (Producer's Award)
- Bayerischer Filmpreis ("Bavarian Film Award") 2003
- Public Award
- 75th Academy Awards
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Preceded by No Man's Land |
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 2002 |
Succeeded by The Barbarian Invasions |
