Rumspringa - Ein Amish in Berlin

Such a refreshing opportunity for this Gay Dutch woman born in Reading Pennsylvania way back in the 1940's .This Berliner slant on an Amish male young adult spending his Rumspringa year "sowing wild oats" prior to committing / or not committing to a life of the Plain People of Lancaster County in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a sweet film.

The viewer has an insider look at the fashionable cynicism of the young, coddled and privileged generation surrounding us almost everywhere. As this film moves forward many of the Old Amish ways give a framework of honesty and openness to the characters trying to make jest of The Rumspringa , Jacob. This film is enjoyable on many levels and this outsider American viewer found a deep respect for Amish Values in this German made film.

Carve out time in 2024 America to see Rumspringa, You could think about honestly and expressing feelings in your own contemporary life. Take a chance and check out this film.

Okay, so at times it was corny, unrealistic and not overly deep, but I enjoyed this film nonetheless. The bit of insight into Amish culture was intriguing and, as a German speaker, the language differences between Pennsylvania "Dutch" and modern, slangy German were fun.

There were some tender and emotional moments, and it was cool to see heterosexual male characters comfortably expressing genuine affection in a way that didn't seem forced. There are no politics here, no sides to choose, nothing but humans trying to make their way in a confusing world.

At a time when cynicism holds so much sway, it felt refreshing to watch an open-hearted film with likable characters.

The objective part of me rated this movie a 6, but my more sentimental side would have added a star or two.

Was a great fun movie, with a positive vibe on how there is a happy balance that we should all aim for between modern technology life, and the extreme backward/purist way of life. Sure it may have been seen before, but the Amish take on things was kinda fun. Watched in English translation as was lazy and didn't want to read, but willing to watch again in German to get the true feeling from the actors.

I've read reviews that want an LGBTQ+ result, based on two guys becoming friends. I remember when you could be friends without it having to result in a relationship, no matter what gender. Closeness doesn't equal relationship, it's ok and normal to be a friendship, no matter how close. Hey, I live those every day.

And this movie, as offbeat as it was, ended up pulling on my heartstrings.

About finding oneself. And that the answers are within and not outside oneself.

The 2 leads ma;e actors were very charismatic. The rest quirky and fun. And the female actresses very nice too, believable.

It was just a sweet story about a young Amish man off to Germany on his Rumspringa that is beginning to find himself and because he is Amish, the new World around him that he discovers, is amazing.

I liked it. I liked it a lot. Tenderly done, gives hope to us all that no matter what age we can find the answers to our lives and they can be sweet. Ever so sweet.

It's a comedy set in 2022, mainly in Berlin, Germany, with a few scenes in Pennsylvania. It follows an Amish teenager, with his family's blessing, taking his rumspringa time in Germany.

Jacob Hostetler (Jonas Holdenrieder) is the hapless Amish lad sent to Germany along with the Hostetler's family Bible. After his rumspringa, he must find some distant German Mennonite Hostetler relatives to learn more about his ancestry. However, when he arrives at the airport in Berlin and hails a taxi, through a mixup, Jacob loses his money, belongings, and Bible as he politely allows a young woman to have the cab.

Jacob wanders Berlin's streets until he sees a young man he initially thinks is Amish because of his suspenders, beard, and lack of mustache. He follows Alf (Timur Bartels) around until finally, Alf offers him a place to stay for a short time. Alf is an architecture student preparing for a major exam. Jacob meets Alf's roommate, Bo (Rauand Taleb), and Alf's girlfriend, Freja (Tijan Marei). He also eventually meets the young woman who had left in the cab with his possessions. Ina (Gizem Emre) is an artist and becomes Jacob's romantic interest.

The film follows Jacob's introduction to European culture and the response of his new friends to Jacob's simpler approach to life. Eventually, Jacob needs to decide whether to return from rumspringa to Pennsylvania.

"Rumspringa" has some positive aspects. Alf, Freja, and Ina appreciate aspects of Jacob's culture and background. Some of the cross-cultural humor is funny, but some veers closer to mocking Amish naiveté. It's a thin line as Jacob's list of the "sins" he has committed--ranging from roller skating to sex--becomes a valuable piece of art. There is little attempt at Amish accuracy, but that's not the point in a German comedy. One wonders if this kind of comedy would be made of other visible conservative minority groups. But some of it was funny.