Nowhere in Africa (2001)
"Nirgendwo in Afrika" (original title)

A German Jewish refugee family moves to and adjusts to a farm life in 1930's Kenya.

Director:

Caroline Link

Writers:

Caroline Link, Stefanie Zweig (novel)

Stars:

Juliane Köhler, Merab Ninidze, Sidede Onyulo

Won 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Juliane Köhler	...	Jettel Redlich
Merab Ninidze	...	Walter Redlich
Sidede Onyulo	...	Owuor
Matthias Habich	...	Walter Süßkind
Lea Kurka	...	Regina Redlich (younger)
Karoline Eckertz	...	Regina Redlich - 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

Storyline

A Jewish family in Germany emigrate short before the Second World War. They move to Kenya to start running a farm, but not all members of the family come to an arrangement with their new life. Shortly after their departure, things are changing in Germany very quickly, and a turning back seems impossible. So everyone has to arrange himself with the new life in a new continent.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | kenya | jew | africa | judge | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes home is where you least expect it

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Constantin Film [Germany] NZZ Online (German)

Country:

Germany

Language:

English Swahili German

Release Date:

27 December 2001 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Nowhere in Africa

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Budget:

€7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$12,052 (Hong Kong) (23 January 2004)

Gross:

$44,043 (Hong Kong) (23 January 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BKM, Bavaria Film, Bavaria Filmverleih- und Produktions GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

After giving the radio to Walter, Susskind wishes him good luck with the well; as he drives away, the reflection of the camera truck can be seen on the door of his truck, and the tire tracks from the camera truck are visible as the camera backs up.

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Quotes

Jettel Redlich: I can't buy anything. I'm as poor as a monkey.
Female merchant by the train: [handing her a banana] For the monkey.

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Connections

Featured in The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007)

User Reviews

Incredibly Authentic movie on Africa

There are lots of movies set in Africa. Few come anywhere close to showing the beauty as this movie does. But it is only a backdrop. The plot is captivating and the acting superb.

Having grown up in Kenya, I found the authenticity to be astounding. The use of appropriate languages was mind-blowing. There was not a word spoken that was in German for the sake of the audience -- If it would have been said in swahili, it was; English, in English.

Few movies make quite the impression on me as this one. I seldom watch movies with subtitles, so it took a bit to get used to it, but I think it was better in German than it would have been if it were dubbed.