Nowhere in Africa (2001)

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

Director:

Caroline Link

Writers:

Caroline Link, Stefanie Zweig (novel)

Stars:

Juliane Köhler, Merab Ninidze, Matthias Habich

Won 1 Oscar. Another 18 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 | tween girl | food shortage | 

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Taglines:

One family's tale of a homeland lost... and a homeland found.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexual content

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Jettel encounters the old dying woman, her hair is short, but she doesn't get her hair cut until several scenes in the future.

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Quotes

Jogona as an adult: Are Mzungas like you still allowed to climb trees?
Regina: Yes. But only when they don't dirty their school uniform.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

User Reviews

First Epic in a Long Time

Here is a grand epic in the scale of "Gone With the Wind", "Lawrence of Arabia", and "Fitzcarraldo". It is the best movie I've seen this year, and more than that, it was one of the most amazing film experiences of my life.

It is Caroline Link's "Nowhere in Africa", which won the Best Foreign Film Award when, in actuality, it was far better than the Best Picture of the Year. To call it a great or brilliant or majestic film is an understatement; in fact, I'm at a loss for adjectives to describe it.

The film tells the story of a German Jewish woman and her young daughter summoned to Kenya by her husband, circa. 1938. Adolf Hitler is on the brink of declaring his "final solution" of the Jews, and it is with great luck that Jettel and young Regina escape.

In Africa, they adapt slowly to their new rural life. While Regina befriends cook Owuor, Walter and Jettel's relationship threatens to destroy itself because of the hardships the family encounters.

I will not spend too much time going into detail, for watching this masterful story unfold is a treasure in itself. This film is based on an autobiography by Stephanie Zweig, and when it is available in English, I will certainly read it.

Also, the language in this movie is truly beautiful. I saw "Nowhere in Africa" again, just days after watching it for the first time, and spent more time ignoring the subtitles and listening to the beautiful spoken German.

And then there is one scene toward the end that I simply could not believe. It involves a locust invasion, and, quite simply, it was the first time I've ever seen something on the screen and asked myself aloud (as I did the first viewing), "How did they do that?"

The performances here are first-rate, too. Julianne Kohler, who was wonderful in the ultra-weird "Aimee & Junger" is perfect; we understand this woman fully, even when she doesn't speak. Merab Ninidze has some great scenes with Walter, the father; and Sidede Onyulo is simply magical as Owuor.

But the movie belongs to the two girls who play Regina. They look amazingly similar, and they are both stellar. Lea Kurka brings much hope as the adorable young Regina, and Karoline Eckertz is subtle and remarkable as the older Regina, particularly in a heartbreaking exchange with her father at her school.

It would be a shame to miss this film. No, it would be more than a shame. It would be downright wrong and discouraging. This film, along with the wonderful "Whale Rider" are two remarkable international films that bring beauty, grace, and majesty to the screen, and are perfect for adults and older children.

Details

Official Sites:

Constantin Film [Germany] NZZ Online (German)

Country:

Germany

Language:

English Swahili German

Release Date:

16 May 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nowhere in Africa

Filming Locations:

Kenya

Box Office

Budget:

EUR7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,070, 9 March 2003

Gross USA:

$6,180,200

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,322,180

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film, Bavaria Filmverleih- und Produktions GmbH, Bayerischer Banken-Fonds

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1