Bei Thea is a really interesting film. It deals with a complex family relationship. David Adler, wonderfully played by Hannes Jaenicke, is the grandson of German Jews who escaped the Third Reich for life in what became Israel. He has been raised by his German grandparents and speaks the language well. He is also aware of the terrible history of Germany. His grandparents are torn between their life in Germany before the war and their life in Tel Aviv in Israel. They want David to experience Germany and to also study in Munich. David goes to Munich and becomes a regular at a cosy pub called Bei Thea. Thea is the grand dame and owner of Bei Thea. She also happens to be the first wife of David's grandfather. David only finds this out after he and Thea have befriended one another. On finding out he does not want to know her as he thinks she dumped his grandfather. In fact Thea saved her then husband by divorcing him and making sufficient funds available for him and other family members to move away to escape Germany. Marianne Hoppe is brilliant in the role of Thea as is as Herta Schwartz as Ortrud as is Ida Ehre as Else-Stern Adler. The contrast between life in Tel Aviv and Munich is fascinating. It's a very enjoyable and thought provoking film.
