Back to the Fatherland

Gil Levanon and Katharina Maschek meet during their college days in New York City, forming a strong bond despite their differing backgrounds. This meeting serves as the foundation for their collaborative journey of exploration regarding their roots and cultural heritage.

Gil comes from Israel and is the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, while Kat hails from Austria and is descended from a Nazi officer. Their contrasting family histories shape their perspectives on identity, belonging, and their respective ties to the troubled history of their ancestors.

Gil decides to reach out to her grandfather, Yochanan Tenzer, to discuss her feelings about potentially relocating to Berlin. This conversation is fraught with tension, as Yochanan's traumatic past makes him vehemently against any association with Germany.

Yochanan reacts strongly to Gil's aspirations of moving to Berlin, urging her with a stern response, 'No, never!' His deep-seated distrust of Germany stems from his childhood experiences during World War II, where he was separated from his family for safety.

Despite Yochanan's rejection, there is a noticeable trend among secular Israeli youth choosing to relocate to Germany and Austria. This societal shift sparks curiosity in Gil and Kat, motivating them to explore the reasons behind such decisions and what it means for identity.

Motivated by Yochanan's response, Gil and Kat embark on a quest to find other descendants of Holocaust survivors who have chosen to move to Europe. They seek to capture the complexities of their experiences and the profound ties to their heritage.

During their journey, Gil and Kat come across Dan Peled and Guy Shahar, two young men who have already relocated to Berlin. Through their stories, they gain insights into the emotional struggles faced by those who made similar life-changing decisions.

Dan, an aspiring sculptor, grapples with his decision to live in Berlin, facing disapproval from his grandmother, Lea Ron Peled. This tension underscores the differing generational perspectives on trauma, belonging, and cultural identity.

In a bid to find closure and understanding, Dan invites his 91-year-old grandmother, Lea, on a poignant trip to Vienna, the city of her youth. This journey aims to bridge the gap between their experiences, fostering dialogue about their intertwined history.

As they traverse the landmarks of Lea's past, long-held tensions begin to dissolve. Through shared experiences and dialogue, the trip sparks moments of reconciliation, allowing both Dan and Lea to confront and heal from their painful histories.

Following the journey, Gil reflects on the meaning of identity and belonging in the context of her family's history. This introspection is influenced heavily by her grandfather’s experiences and the stories shared throughout their exploration.

The film culminates in a broader conversation about the cultural legacy left behind by the Holocaust and the ways in which young Israelis grapple with this history. It highlights the complexities of their choices in a modern context, revealing insights into the ongoing impact of the past.