Fatherland / Vaterland

In Saxon-Anhalt, near the town of Zerbst, set away from busy roads, next to a deserted military landing strip, is the village of Straguth. An unimportant place. Lost in time. Or ahead of time.

The film describes the people of this quiet place, in the past, the present and the future. A film like the digging of a hole. If one could dig in spiral form. And dig a black hole.

An archaeological journey to landscape, people and things, traces of changing times and transition. Wide open landscapes and detailed drawings of people within. And on entering Otto Nathos’ modest bar, there is always talk of the war. The era of youth.

Details

Country of Production
Germany

Year of Production
2002

Format
35mm

Length
98 min

Director
Thomas Heise

Production
ma.ja.de. filmproduktion in co-production with MDR, in association with ARTE

Original Language
German

Subtitles
English

Festivals / Awards

DOK Leipzig 2002 (Silver Dove in Int. Competition)
Duisburger Filmwoche 2002
Visions du Réel Nyon 2003 (Prix SRG SSR idée suisse)
Nomination for Bundesfilmpreis 2003
Sheffield IDF 2003
Beeld voor Beeld Festival of Visual Anthropology Amsterdam 2004