Director Edgar Reitz offers the chance to revisit aspects of that dramatic era.
By SARAH ABRAMS, BRYCESON TENOLDheimat movie scene 88(photo credit: )Germany's history in the twentieth century was more than a bit tumultuous, and director Edgar Reitz offers the chance to revisit aspects of that dramatic era with his monumental trilogy Heimat.
Heimat 1, which covers the years 1919-1982, first aired in 1985 as a television miniseries. Those who have never seen the epic broadcast and those who just want a repeat viewing will have the chance to view the first part this weekend at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The screening will be run as a marathon, so be prepared for 15 hours of less-than-cheery German history. While Germany's major historic events take place off screen, Heimat attempts to create a microcosm of the nation by portraying the daily life of a family in the small, fictional village of Schabbach. Beginning with the return of German POWs from France in 1919, the family's story illustrates the rise of Nazism and WWII before examining post-war reconstruction and the national prosperity that resulted.
Viewers who like to watch their historical epics in more easily digestible format can see episodes of Heimat 1 at the Cinematheque from Monday through next Friday.
That same Friday, November 11, the Tel Aviv Cinematheque will also begin screening Reitz's recently made third installment, Heimat 3. Its 13 hours bring the village to the brink of the millennium, as it covers the years 1989 to 1999.
Heimat 1, shot in black and white, has only English subtitles, while Heimat 3 is subtitled in both English and Hebrew.
For details, call (03) 606-0800.
