Rating: 
Summary: Somewhere Special
Review: The year is 1938. Walter Redlich, a Jewish lawyer, has been living in Africa for six months. He moved there from Germany, all too aware of what the rise of the Nazis meant for he and his family. In Africa, he works as a simple farmhand near Nairobi. At the start of the film, we see him writing to his wife, Jettel. He is sending the money she and their daughter, Regina, will need to board a ship and head to Africa. He tells Jettel that it doesn't matter how long it takes the boat to reach Africa, as long as it takes them. He knows that the worst is yet to come for their country.Suffice it to say, Walter's wife and daughter make it to Africa, but to divulge anything more about "Nowhere In Africa" would be to take away from it, for much of the enjoyment derived from it is not knowing what will happen next. This is a movie that captures your interest and doesn't let go, even at the end. As the credits were rolling, I found myself wondering what would happen to the characters next. That is the sign of a great motion picture. Concerning the characters, it is one of the film's strengths that the people in it, while not completely likable at all times, are definitely interesting and textured. There is a depth to these characters. They act in ways that are complex, sometimes unpredictable. This isn't a connect-the-dots type of movie. It is an interesting, thought-provoking picture. One of my favorite characters was Owuor. He is an African, and is only supposed to be the Redlich's cook, but he becomes much, much more. He is trustworthy, wise, and devoted to the family. Quite a touching character. Kudos are in order for Gernot Roll, the cinematographer. Director Caroline Link has given us some spectacular views of Africa, and Roll brings out every vivid ounce of beauty that the locations have to offer. It truly seems like someplace special, even though the conditions are far below 'modern' standards. The musical score, by Niki Reiser and Jochen Schmidt-Hambrock is quite moving. It is used sparingly, but to great effect. I especially liked Owuor's theme. There is much to praise about "Nowhere In Africa", and very little to quibble over. It is over 2 hours long, but for the most part doesn't feel padded or extended in any way. The time in Africa seems idealized somewhat, but perhaps that is because we know what is happening in the Redlich's homeland, and the fate that could have befallen them there. As Walter says at one point, "We're alive." And really, that is the most important thing. There is also a message included about tolerance. The Redlichs experience intolerance toward them in Germany because they were Jewish, and yet Jettel shows disdain for the Africans when she first arrives on their continent. Walter is quick to point out her failings in that area. The people and events in "Nowhere In Africa" have lingered with me since I saw it a week ago. I keep thinking back to the lives explored, the issues raised, and the beauty of the continent on which it was set. The story moves along at just the right pace, and is never for a minute uninteresting. It is truly one of the best films I have ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: A Little Hollow
Review: It is beautifully filmed -- beautiful country, landscape, people, music, etc. -- especially the scene with the locusts was remarkable. The most compelling performance by far was Regina as a little girl. She was truly incredible. However, overall, I think that there was something sort of hollow about the film.
I found it very difficult to relate to Walter and Jettel; They both seemed rather fickle and I had difficulty understanding their motivations. It seemed that Jettel would not have been happy anywhere and that she was rather selfish. She never wanted to be where she was -- unless, of course, Walter wanted to be somewhere else. She wasn't happy in her marriage and as much as Walter loved her he never would be able to love her enough. She had affairs and flirted with other men and then justified her actions by pretending that she did it to help her family. In truth, she needed reassurance that she was desirable and important. It seemed that she very grudgingly stayed with Walter out of an obligation that she was very reluctant to fulfill. I did not think that she had matured as much as the film maker wanted us to believe. If not for her pregnancy, she probably would not have returned to Germany. It was interesting that she let Walter make the decision for her -- I don't think she thought he'd make the decision that he made. She asked him if he loved her and then figured that if he did, he'd let her have what she wanted.
The fact that their baby was conceived while Walter was grieving for his father was interesting, also that it was a boy and that they named him after Walter's father. At the beginning of the film, Walter's father -- perhaps knowing that Jettel was not in love with Walter -- advised her to stick with him no matter what. It was almost like Walter's father had returned from his grave to ensure that Jettel would have to stay with him. The cook was an interesting character but I would have liked to see more of him. We didn't get much of his inner thoughts or his personal life. Notwithstanding Regina's love for him, he was still marginalized throughout the movie. I don't think that Jettel or Walter ever truly accepted him as an equal. I worried that he was presented is a simple sort of way that black wise men are often seen in the movies. Always a servant, never a friend. Perhaps even an Uncle Tom. I agree that the cinematography was spectacular and that the scene when Regina first meets him is breathtaking. It was as though all of her fears and inhibitions escaped her the moment they met. I was expecting her to develop a teenaged romantic interest in her African friend (the tribal boy) but I think that would have been too controversial for a German audience.
I have met people like Jettel and I agree that her flaws make her interesting. If she were a subservient doting wife, I wouldn't have thought much of her. I think that the message of celebrating differences is valuable but I think that it was handled in a less superficial manner (i.e., if the family had invited the cook to their Sabbat dinner or if Regina had a relationship with her friend the issue would have been confronted head on). I was not convinced that any character except Regina truly understood those the Africans -- and even she did not like the English. And, as pointed out numerous times, the English don't like the Germans or Scots, Germans don't like the Jews, etc.
Walter and Jettel in particular were very absorbed in their inner dialogues and insulated from their surrounding culture. Toward the end when the cook returns the barrister's robe to Walter, he says that Walter is returning to his old role. It seemed to me that Walter was trying very hard to return to life he had before the war and that he will be surprised to find that it is not easy. Does he really expect to just forget his life in Africa? How will Regina adapt to returning to a life she doesn't even remember?
The scene in which I think that the message about celebrating differences was conveyed best was the scene when they were united in fighting off the locusts. If only people of different cultures had united in fighting off the Nazis, then they would not have been able to destroy everything they landed upon.
Rating:
Summary: Nowhere in Africa - a must see movie!
Review: An excellent and moving film which depicts with clarity, humanity and insight the struggle of a German-Jewish family, fleeing Nazi oppression in 1937, to adapt and survive in the deep isolation of inner Africa. The changes in each member of the family are beautifully illustrated over time. The characters are well developed. The complete assimilation of the family's daughter into the tribal life through the love and guidance of the native cook is lovingly followed. Magnificent photos of African landscapes!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific film.
Review: NOWHERE IN AFRICA shed light, for me, on a chapter of the Holocaust of which I was unaware. At the beginning of the Nazis' oppression of the Jews, some German Jewish families migrated to Kenya, abandoning their lives, jobs and livelihoods to live off the land - despite their lack of knowledge about the land or any farming skills. Narrated by a young girl, the film stars the beautiful, talented Juliane Kohler as the girl's mother, Jettel. Her character's transformation from spoiled young society wife in Germany into a resourceful, passionate and mature woman willing to protect her husband and family through any means is amazing. With Jettel's story firmly at the heart of the film, the beauty of the cinematography and other stories of this family's struggle prove compelling. I highly recommend this.
Rating:
Summary: Nowhere in Africa
Review: Nowhere in Africa won best foreign picture 2002 which it deserved. This is as close to a perfect movie as I've ever seen. I'm hoping that word of mouth will spread and that more people will get to enjoy this film on the big screen where it must be seen to enjoy the breath-taking scenery of Africa. The story is compelling and as the viewer you will be immediately drawn. A young lawyer in prewar Nazi Germany sees the writing on the wall and gets himself out of Germany into Kenya. He arranges for his wife and five year old daughter to join him but gives his wife strict instructions to tell no one of the plan. He also instructs his wife to leave home the good dishes and instead bring a refrigerator which they will desperately need. She ignores his instructions, brings the good dishes and to add insult to injury brings an evening gown which she will not have any use. The little girl takes to Africa immediately and adjusts as only children can in an absolutely alien environment. She befriends and is in-turn befriended by the village children. The wife does not adjust so easily making life a misery for her husband. We are also struck at how insensitive she is with the cook who is their righthand man, looking out for them at every turn. She treats him like a servant and that's putting it kindly, when this hurts him deeply as he sees himself as a professional. There are problems in the marriage and stuggles which move the story along. Not until word from home reaches them about the full magnitude of the war and what is becoming of their friends and family does the wife begin to understand how very lucky she is. At every point we are drawn to the story and the characters and want to know what will happen next. The acting is seamless. The little girl is played by two actresses, one when she is little and one when she is more grown and these two girls couldn't be more perfect in their roles. This movie is beautifully cast and beautifully acted. There isn't a false note in it. Viewers will also enjoy the amazing soundtrack. One more thing, even though this movie is in English subtitles, you will hardly be aware that you are reading. At a certain point you will almost feel as if you understand German. This movie should not be missed by anyone who loves film and has a love for interesting story lines. In a word: Incredible. Brenda Pizzo
Boston
Rating:
Summary: A HUGE SURPRISE
Review: I went to see "Nowhere in Africa" somewhat reluctantly. It was a German film and I have not seen too many good German movies lately. My experience in that area was not very good. But this time I was up for a huge surprise. It was a beautifully crafted film with everything in place. This film was very well balanced with good story, the nature scenes, excellent acting of all actors, the director, the cinematagraphy, and the mosic. I was drawn into the film within the first few minutes and its strong hold lasted for two and a half hours. Yes, it is a long one but you don't really notice that time but you notice enjoyment. The twists and turns in the story make you think and you think hard all the way home from the theater. You think and you want to discuss it, to share your thoughts. And I mean good thoughts, very possitive thoughts... After this movie you can really see that we don't live just by ourselves but we live all together.
Rating:
Summary: an oasis in a desert
Review: I went to this movie by accident (too early for another movie we intended to see so we stumbled into this one). I was so drawn in by it that I cried for 5 minutes after it ended, because I always cry with the joy of seeing something or hearing something well done (I even cry at the end of a good NPR story). I'd seen some bad rentals previous to this so as I said it was an oasis in a desert. If you think it is overly moralizing (and I don't), you will enjoy the best cinemaphotography in years and one of the best soundtracks I've heard in ages. I love movies that make me laugh and cry, and a good drama has both humor and tragedy. This has it all.
Please see it on the big screen. It won't be as good on the small screen, but it will beat 95% of other movies you'll see on your tube (or at the movie house).
Rating:
Summary: A German Jewish family's traumatic move to Africa.
Review: "Nirgendwo in Afrika" ("Nowhere In Africa") is the compelling story of a German Jewish couple who relocate with their little girl to Africa in the early 1930's. When the Nazis begin their rise to power, Walter Redlich sees the handwriting on the wall. Fearing that he and his family will soon be unable to escape from Germany, he gives up his law practice to manage a farm in Africa. He later sends for his wife, Jettel and his little girl, Regina, who join him in Kenya. Jettel moves to Africa not knowing what to expect. She brings a beautiful evening gown and exquisite china, which are useless in her new home, instead of the practical refrigerator that Walter requests. Jettel cannot believe that she is doomed to live a hardscrabble life as a farmer. Walter is unsympathetic, since he believes that Jettel should be grateful to have left Europe alive. Jettel misses the family that she left behind and she longs for the comforts and familiar routines of her former life in Germany. Walter and Jettel cannot communicate with one another and their marriage begins to disintegrate. "Nowhere in Africa" is a richly textured film. The actors, including Juliane Kohler as Jettel Redlich, Merab Ninidze as Walter, Sidede Onyulo as the family's beloved cook and right hand man, Owuor, and Karoline Eckertz as Regina, all deliver heartfelt and nuanced performances. Caroline Link's direction and screenplay are first rate. Link sensitively depicts Regina's relationship with the wise and compassionate Owuor, who becomes her mentor as well as her cherished friend. Jettel, who at first looks down on Owuor and at Africans in general, gradually realizes that there is much beauty in this wild and exotic land, and she comes to love Africa. Gernot Roll's cinematography is exquisite and the background music is evocative and moving. "Nowhere in Africa" will touch you and I guarantee that you will not easily forget the physical and spiritual journey of the Redlich family. This movie subtly demonstrates the pain of being an outsider, the importance of trying to understand people who are different from us, and the advantages of approaching life with an open mind and a caring heart.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good movie.....very bad subtitles!
Review: I wasn't able to enjoy the movie as much as I would have if only the subtitles were adequate to support the power of the movie. As a result, I wasn't able to fully appreciate the deepness and complexity of this cultural diversified movie. Anyhow, I still would like to recommend this to everyone especially those who can understand German. Definitely an Academy Award material!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT...Can't wait for the Sequel
Review: This was a fantastic movie! Truly awesome panoramic takes of Kenya. On big-Screen its just looks fabulous.
Now I like the story...very intriguing without the usual hollywood superlatives of sex, violence or Gore. The setting in colonial Africa doesn't give the best context- the continent was strife with begrudged Africans fighting Imperialism so their "flight" is ironic when you consider where they end up. This is made up though with the personal relationships that transcend that socio-political period.
I'm curious to know what little Regina grows up to be. A racist colonialist or liberal enlighten Jew who falls in love with a native and lives happily thereafter. This would provide a perfect sequel.
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