Altes Land

Brilliant two-part movie about the lives of several generations and families, some living on a farm, some living in the city, and some stuck in between. The main character played by Iris Berben is one of the most unique characters I've seen in a movie recently. The story starts in the past, with the character's dramatic immigration to a farm in Germany as a child with her mother, and branches out through war times into the future, to include the character's estranged sister living in the city, her sister's 20-something daughter who's going through a life crisis, and to her neighbours around the farm she keeps living on, including the ones who ran away from the city for a more natural life and now questioning their decision in despair. It has history, drama, tragedy, some comedic moments, and a finely dosed bitter-sweet romance story, heavy on the bitter side, that makes you think. Both parts were interesting and satisfactory to watch. Recommended.