Back to the Fatherland
Year: 2019
Runtime: 77 min
Language: English
This documentary follows young Israelis who have chosen to relocate to Austria and Germany, countries with a difficult history connected to their families’ persecution. Exploring themes of identity and belonging, the film portrays their personal journeys as they grapple with their ancestral roots and seek to build a new life while confronting the shadows of the past, a century after the original trauma.
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Back to the Fatherland (2019) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained
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Life in Israel is often fraught with stress, yet this is not the sole reason young individuals are choosing to distance themselves from the “holy land.” Many secular, liberal Jews feel marginalized, voiceless in the fabric of Israeli society.
Enter Gil Levanon and Katharina Maschek, two filmmakers who forged a bond during their college days in New York City a decade ago. Their backgrounds are starkly contrasting; Gil hails from Israel, while Kat comes from Austria. The differences in their family histories further highlight their unique perspectives: Gil is the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, while Kat is descended from a Nazi officer.
Within this complex backdrop, we are introduced to three Israeli grandchildren and their respective grandparents. Gil Levanon revisits her roots by consulting her grandfather Yochanan Tenzer, grappling with the notion of relocating to Berlin. Her apprehension about his reaction is palpable, especially knowing that at just 15 years old, his parents sent him away from Germany for safety, leaving him never to see them again. Yochanan’s deep-seated distrust of Germany compels him to respond to Gil’s aspirations with a definitive statement: > “No, never!”
Yochanan’s vehement rejection, coupled with the increasing trend of secular Israeli youth relocating to Germany and Austria, inspires Gil and Kat on an exploratory journey. They set out to locate other descendants of Holocaust survivors who made similar choices. Their quest leads them to Dan Peled and Guy Shahar, two young men who have already committed to the life that Gil is still contemplating.
Having moved to Berlin a few years back, Dan, a budding sculptor, faces disapproval from his grandmother Lea Ron Peled, who struggles to comprehend and accept his decision. In an attempt to find closure and understanding, Dan invites his 91-year-old grandmother on a poignant journey to Vienna, the city of her youth. Through this powerful trip, long-held tensions begin to dissolve, offering a chance for reconciliation between generations. Who could have predicted that Lea’s return to the landmarks of her past anguish would spark such harmony between her and her grandson?
Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 08:40
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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Documentaries about healing historical wounds like Back to the Fatherland
Personal journeys that confront a traumatic past to find unexpected peace.Discover movies like Back to the Fatherland that explore personal quests for reconciliation with a difficult past. This collection features documentaries and dramas where characters confront generational trauma and historical shadows, ultimately seeking a path toward understanding and a new sense of belonging.
Prodigal Sons
2010
Daughter from Danang
2002
Philomena
2013
The Music Never Stopped
2011
The Optimists
2005
Mulberry Child
2012
Back to the Fatherland
2019
My Dead Friend Zoe
2025
We Are Family
2010
Giovanni’s Island
2014
Let There Be Light
2017
Cavedweller
2004
Dor
2006
In His Mother’s Eyes
2023
Broken Dreams
1933
Narrative Summary
The narrative typically involves an individual or group returning to, or re-examining, a place or event from a painful past. Through investigation, conversation, and reflection, they unpack layers of inherited grief and anger, leading to a climax of emotional confrontation that paves the way for a hopeful, if complicated, resolution.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped together because they share a central theme of confronting historical trauma on a personal level. They blend a heavy emotional weight with a steady, investigative pacing and a tone that balances melancholy with the possibility of healing, creating a uniquely impactful and thoughtful viewing experience.
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