West (2013 film)

(Redirected from Westen (film))

West (German: Westen) is a 2013 German drama film directed by Christian Schwochow and written by his mother Heide Schwochow. The film is based on the German novel Lagerfeuer by Julia Franck. Westen had its premiere at the 25th Montreal World Film Festival[1] and was released in the United States on November 7, 2014.[2]

West
Film poster
Directed byChristian Schwochow
Written byHeide Schwochow
Julia Franck (novel)
Produced byThomas Kufus
Barbara Buhl
StarringJördis Triebel
Tristan Göbel
Alexander Scheer
Jacky Ido
CinematographyFrank Lamm
Edited byJens Klüber
Music byLorenz Dangel
Distributed byMain Street Films
Release dates
  • August 25, 2013 (2013-08-25) (Montréal World Film Festival)
  • November 7, 2014 (2014-11-07) (USA)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryGermany
LanguageGerman

Plot

edit

The film tells the story of the East German Nelly Senff and her young son Alexej, who emigrate to the Federal Republic of Germany in the late 1970s, three years after Nelly's boyfriend Wassilij was killed in an auto accident. In the west, she wants to start a new life, but at first she and Alexej land at Marienfelde refugee transit camp in West Berlin. There, Allied intelligence agencies interrogate Nelly and demand information about her dead boyfriend, who is suspected to have been a spy.[3]

Cast

edit

Awards and nominations

edit
  • 2012: German Film Awards - Film Award in Gold-nomination in the category Best Screenplay - Unproduced for Heide Schwochow
  • 2013: Montréal World Film Festival - Prize Best Actress for Jördis Triebel, FIPRESCI Prize in the category World Competition for Christian Schwochow, Grand Prix des Amériques-nomination in the category World Competition for Christian Schwochow
  • 2014: Seattle International Film Festival - Golden Space Needle Award-nomination in the category Best Actress for Jördis Triebel
  • 2014: German Film Awards - Film Award in Gold in the category Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Jördis Triebel

References

edit
  1. ^ Moviemaze.de: Review about West (German)
  2. ^ "Theatrical release for Berlin Wall drama WEST on Nov 7". silversalt pr. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  3. ^ filmportal.de: short summary of Westen
edit