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Nowhere in Africa

Original title: Nirgendwo in Afrika
  • 20012001
  • RR
  • 2h 21m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Nowhere in Africa (2001)
Theatrical Trailer from Zeitgeist Films
Play trailer2:18
1 Video
37 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
A German Jewish refugee family moves to and adjusts to a farm life in 1930s Kenya.A German Jewish refugee family moves to and adjusts to a farm life in 1930s Kenya.A German Jewish refugee family moves to and adjusts to a farm life in 1930s Kenya.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
13K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Caroline Link
  • Writers
    • Caroline Link
    • Stefanie Zweig(novel)
  • Stars
    • Juliane Köhler
    • Merab Ninidze
    • Matthias Habich
Top credits
  • Director
    • Caroline Link
  • Writers
    • Caroline Link
    • Stefanie Zweig(novel)
  • Stars
    • Juliane Köhler
    • Merab Ninidze
    • Matthias Habich
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 93User reviews
    • 74Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 19 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Nowhere in Africa
    Trailer 2:18
    Nowhere in Africa

    Photos37

    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Juliane Köhler in Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Karoline Eckertz, Juliane Köhler, and Merab Ninidze in Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Karoline Eckertz in Nowhere in Africa (2001)
    Juliane Köhler and Merab Ninidze in Nowhere in Africa (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Juliane Köhler
    Juliane Köhler
    • Jettel Redlich
    Merab Ninidze
    Merab Ninidze
    • Walter Redlich
    Matthias Habich
    Matthias Habich
    • Walter Süßkind
    Sidede Onyulo
    Sidede Onyulo
    • Owuor
    Lea Kurka
    Lea Kurka
    • Regina Redlich (younger)
    Karoline Eckertz
    Karoline Eckertz
    • Regina Redlich - Older
    Gerd Heinz
    • Max
    Hildegard Schmahl
    • Ina
    Maritta Horwarth
    • Liesel
    Regine Zimmermann
    Regine Zimmermann
    • Käthe
    Gabrielle Odinis
    • Dienstmädchen Klara
    Bettina Redlich
    • Mrs. Sadler
    Julia Leidl
    • Inge
    Mechthild Großmann
    • Elsa Konrad
    Joel Wajsberg
    • Hubert
    Miriam Wajsberg
    • Ruth
    Marian Lösch
    • Johannes
    Bela Klentze
    Bela Klentze
    • Boy with sledge
    • (as Bela Klenze)
    • Director
      • Caroline Link
    • Writers
      • Caroline Link
      • Stefanie Zweig(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While the film is based on Stefanie Zweig's autobiographical novel, like in the novel character names are changed, with Stefanie Zweig becoming Regina Redlich.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Max: One person always loves more. That's what makes it so difficult. And the one who loves more is vulnerable.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2003)

    User reviews93

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    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.
    helpful•52
    7
    • zachsaltz
    • Jul 27, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 16, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Germany
    • Official sites
      • Constantin Film (Germany)
      • Constantin Film (Germany)
    • Languages
      • German
      • Swahili
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ніде в Африці
    • Filming locations
      • Lolldaiga, Kenya
    • Production companies
      • MTM Cineteve
      • Constantin Film
      • Bavaria Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,180,200
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $22,070
      • Mar 9, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $24,322,180
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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