The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Released in 2001 and directed by Caroline Link from the autobiographical novel by Stefanie Zweig, "Nowhere in Africa" chronicles life in Kenya during World War II centering around a Jewish couple (Juliane Köhler and Merab Ninidze) and their daughter (Lea Kurka and, later, Karoline Eckertz). Matthias Habich plays a fellow Jew living in Kenya who assists them while Sidede Onyulo plays their Kenyan cook, who becomes a sort-of foster father to the girl.This is a German film with only a handful of lines in English, which means you'll have to use the subtitles if English is your primary language. Like "Out of Africa" (1985), "Nowhere in Africa" is a historical drama brimming with cinematic confidence and thoroughly convincing. The difference is that the more popular earlier film focuses on colonial Kenya during WWI while this one takes place during WWII.The couple has an interesting story arc and I liked the emphasis on Native Kenyan culture. Watching it, you're swept back in time to WWII-era Kenya. There are some slow parts, but that's the nature of the beast. If you want cartoony jungle action, like "Predator," "Nowhere in Africa" won't work; but if you want realistic historical drama akin to "Out of Africa," it expertly fills the bill. While not as good as either, "I Dreamed of Africa" (2001) is an interesting companion piece, taking place in post-colonial Kenya during the 70s.The film runs 141 minutes and was shot in Kenya and Germany.GRADE: B

My opinion is probably influenced by the fact that I've read the book but since this movie is an adaptation it should be able to deal with this.The movie itself is neither very good nor very bad. It has some very good scenes which cause the exact feelings they are supposed to. But mostly the movie is as if in a rush to show events and feelings that are not supposed to be shown like this. This movie must be even slower (although many people think it's too slow as it is) because many things are left out of our view. And one more thing which is - in my view - very bad. There are too many "love lines" (along with nude scenes which are completely unnecessary) which don't exist in the book. I have no idea why the directors tend to show these things so much even when they only spoil the picture. The story is good by itself, there's no need to use such methods to draw attention to it.I would highly recommend to read the book which is nothing less than a masterpiece. Its beautiful and unconventional language is unforgettable. The comparisons are fascinating and are definitely something that could be only created by wise people of Africa rather than Western people. Also, you can see how wise Owuor and Regina are. You can see some hints of it in the movie but the book gives a much better perspective. And of course, the story is completely coherent comparing with the movie where it is sometimes too difficult to understand the reasons of some actions/events.So really, better read the book.

I watched this movie purely because because it has Juliane Kohler in it. I had recently watched Downfall and thought the acting was excellent so obviously wanted to see more. I have a habit of watching a movie purely because of who's in it, and i rarely get disappointed.This movie was unlike anything i have seen before. It is such a great story and in the wrong hands it really could have ended up over sentimental and 'corny'. This movie was anything but. The characters were completely authentic and you sit watching the movie in complete empathy for them, even though i couldn't understand what they're saying! The character there are so many themes going on the movie but they piece together perfectly and keep you rooted to your seat. All i can say is i hope the book is translated into English because i have to read it, the perfect extension to a perfect movie.

This is just a great movie with some excellent acting, especially by the little girl Regina! I would say it is mainly about finding your real self and adapting to new situations - sometimes scary ones.The wife's gradual acceptance of her situation, forced to learn the Swahili language and culture is an interesting journey as her marriage is experiencing problems. The husband was a lawyer in Germany and the wife belonged to the social elite - it is now all different and they have to cope with the new situation.It is also a great story about friendship between white and black that doesn't reflect the colour of your skin. It was a bit like going down memory lane for me as a white kid growing up in Africa myself.Furthermore, it turns the tables slightly as this is also a story about white refugees in black Africa and not the other way around as we are used to.