Back to the Fatherland

Back to the Fatherland

Year: 2019

Runtime: 77 min

Language: English

Documentary

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.

Bittersweet
Happy ending
Emotionally heavy
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Back to the Fatherland yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Back to the Fatherland (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Back to the Fatherland (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The narrative unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by secular, liberal Jews in Israeli society. This era is characterized by increased conversations around identity, migration, and the legacy of the Holocaust, particularly as young people grapple with their heritage and future paths.

Location

Israel, Berlin, Vienna

The film traverses multiple locations, primarily focusing on Israel, where complex societal issues arise for young individuals. Berlin serves as a significant backdrop for the story, representing a place of refuge and new beginnings, particularly for those with ties to historical trauma. Vienna, on the other hand, symbolizes a journey of reconciliation and the exploration of familial roots.

🇮🇱 Israel 🇩🇪 Germany 🇦🇹 Austria 🏙️ City

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:17

Main Characters – Back to the Fatherland (2019)

Meet the key characters of Back to the Fatherland (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gil Levanon

Gil is a driven filmmaker grappling with her identity and heritage. As the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, she is deeply affected by her family's history. Her quest for answers about her roots leads her to explore difficult conversations with her grandfather, illuminating her struggles with the notion of relocating abroad.

🎥 Filmmaker 🌍 Seeker ⚖️ Conflict

Katharina Maschek

Katharina, known as Kat, is an Austrian filmmaker whose contrasting background to Gil enriches their collaborative journey. She navigates her identity in relation to her family's past, which adds a layer of complexity to her bond with Gil as they explore their shared yet diverse experiences.

🎥 Filmmaker 🔄 Contrast 🌏 Explorer

Yochanan Tenzer

Yochanan is a Holocaust survivor whose experiences profoundly shape his perspective on Germany and migration. His protective instincts toward his family manifest in his vehement rejection of Gil's aspirations, reflecting the weight of historical trauma on personal choice.

💔 Survivor 📜 Historian 👴 Grandparent

Dan Peled

Dan is a young sculptor who embodies the complexities of modern Israeli youth. His decision to move to Berlin is met with familial disapproval, highlighting generational tensions. Through his journey with his grandmother, he seeks closure and understanding amidst their conflicting sentiments.

🎨 Sculptor 🧳 Migrant 🔄 Bridge-builder

Lea Ron Peled

Lea is Dan's 91-year-old grandmother, whose past experiences shape her understanding of her grandson's choices. Her journey back to Vienna symbolizes a confrontation with her history, offering opportunities for healing and connection across generations.

👵 Grandparent 🧳 Traveler 💔 Survivor

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:17

Major Themes – Back to the Fatherland (2019)

Explore the central themes of Back to the Fatherland (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Identity

Identity plays a central role in the film, as characters confront their heritage and the impacts of history on their lives. Through personal journeys, they seek to redefine themselves against the backdrop of their familial legacies. The film emphasizes the complexity of identity, especially for those with roots in cultures marked by division and trauma.

🤝 Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a pivotal theme, particularly in the relationship between Dan and his grandmother, Lea. Their journey to Vienna highlights the subtle yet profound healing that can occur when individuals confront their pasts together. The film poignantly illustrates how shared experiences can bridge generational divides and foster understanding.

🌍 Migration

Migration emerges as a significant theme, exploring the choices young Israelis make to leave their homeland in search of belonging and acceptance abroad. This reflects broader global narratives regarding displacement and the quest for a sense of home, particularly for descendants of those affected by historical traumas.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:17

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

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.

reflectivemelancholicreconciliatorythoughtfulpersonalempathetichistoricalhealing

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Back to the Fatherland

Don't stop at just watching — explore Back to the Fatherland in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Back to the Fatherland is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Back to the Fatherland Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Back to the Fatherland, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Back to the Fatherland Summary

Back to the Fatherland Timeline

Track the full timeline of Back to the Fatherland with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Back to the Fatherland Timeline

Back to the Fatherland Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Back to the Fatherland that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Back to the Fatherland Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Back to the Fatherland

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Back to the Fatherland: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Back to the Fatherland

Explore More About Movie Back to the Fatherland

Back to the Fatherland (2019) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Back to the Fatherland (2019) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Back to the Fatherland (2019) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow