german title - westen - second film seen at the german ff
this one set in the 1970's with the berlin wall still intact
and with it people desperate to escape from east to west
the opening scene of a house in the winter of east berlin
a man bidding a tearful farewell to a woman and child
3 years later - same place - the woman and child leaving
then seen in a car and receiving instructions for the escape
she - nelly - is handed false documents by her new fake husband
then at the border suspicion is aroused and so she is strip-searched
and with it a reminder of the serious intensity of the time and place
nothing found and through they go and deposited at a refugee centre
her celebratory mood seriously jaded by the condition of their new home
more so when she finds out some inhabitants have been there for years
a bit of doubt then creeping in about her expectations of freedom
there's a 12 stage process to be completed before she is accepted
including some rigorous interviews from the local authorities
an african-american representing the u.s. interests most robust
suggesting her partner from 3 years prior is on their radar
she believing him to have been killed in a car accident
this in his native moscow and far removed from her
but the suggestion he was/is a stasi police agent
mainly involved in drafting scientists to the west
all a shock to her of course and she also implicated
though she is unintimidated and defiant to her accusers
some sexual tension evident between her and the american
her young son alexej also having issues adjusting to his new life
teased by his peers, friends leaving for a better life constantly
his best companion is hans a loner man who looks out for him
and offers to help nelly secure an apartment of her own
her paranoia grows with the ever-present surveillance
and a realisation life in the east was similar but easier
alexej also expressing the desire to return - but no can do
she keeps on the case of fulfilling the settlement requirements
resolves the sexual tension with her accuser in a very direct way
leading to her learning more about her ex-partner who is likely alive
she is seen then in an ever-present state of suspicion of all she meets
and at the same time continues to distrust even those closest to her
hans in particular who is seen also by others as a stasi spy
nearly beaten to death by a gang of suspicious refugees
a turning point though as nelly and alexej nurse him
and she is finally accepted to live in west berlin
secures a job and an apartment and all looks good
hans left behind - but - on christmas eve a visit is made
happy ending - not unexpected and certainly well deserved
mission accomplished for the writer, director and all involved
a successful telling of the tale of life can be tough no matter where
the grass is not always greener - and - ultimately - all you need is...
happy with that too - a great tale of east vs west from the heart of it
re-confirming my theory re film festivals - they are picked for a reason
and in this case a good hit rate so far with this german film festival
west - it shall be recommended as a great slice of time insight...
