Nowhere in Africa (Nirgendwo in Afrika)

I couldn't really remember what Germany was like.

I knew they had snow and seasons...

and our family had lived there.

Not only Mama and Papa, but the whole family.

And it was nice.

But I also remember that I was always afraid...

of other children and people...

and even dogs.

Watch out!

Come here. Let me help you.

NOWHERE IN AFRICA

I remember Germany as a dark place.

Not as bright and hot as Kenya.

A place with large buildings and dismal rooms.

Papa always says, "Germany is our home."

I think he just misses his father...

my grandfather.

He couldn't eat cookies with nuts, because he was allergic.

He really liked Heinrich Heine's poems...

especially the ones about Germany.

I had two aunts in Germany that I liked an awful lot.

Aunt Käthe was Mama's sister. Papa's sister was Liesl.

Sometimes they helped out in Grandpa's hotel, the "Adler" in Sohrau.

That was in the good old days before the Nazis came.

Can I help you?

No, thank you.

We have to go now.

The Nazis forbade Papa to work as a lawyer and took away Grandpa's hotel.

Soon none of our family had a job.

When I asked my parents why that was so, I always got the same answer:

"Because we're Jews, Regina. That's why."

What's wrong?

An urgent message!

Walter!

Wake up!

- This is quinine. It's good for you. - Leave me alone!

Come on! Wake up!

Give me the coffee.

Hurry!

Good heavens, Walter, wake up!

Come on, open your mouth!

Breslau, January 1938

- Jettel, can I have some apple juice? - Ask Klara, please.

Anna, I'm glad you could come despite the snow. Come in.

- Good evening, Mrs. Redlich. - Good evening.

Move it!

Don't talk to Jews!

Stop playing with those matches!

- You're going to burn down the house! - Sure thing, Klara!

Here, a sausage.

You gotta get used to it!

Negroes always eat it black.

- No, they don't. - Or raw and bloody!

I know they eat dogs from my Geography book.

They eat grasshoppers, too. Here, hold him.

You wanna go to Africa? You're even afraid to touch a dachshund.

Grandpa!

- Are there nuts in it? - They're the only cookies I could get.

- Oh, Klara. - There aren't many nuts in them anyway.

- You have to sneeze, right? - Right.

Every time I eat nuts I have to sneeze. Every darn time.

I really loved the green one.

Walter bought me this for New Year's, but it isn't really my style.

I think it's very elegant.

Then take it.

You're such a sweetheart, Jettel. Thanks.

Käthchen, don't cry today, okay?

Do I dare to wear this?

It fits your rear end!

- Mrs. Redlich... - Men like 'em round.

That's for me!

This is for you, Klara! Glitter is what you need.

Thank you.

What's wrong?

It's from Africa.

Rongai, Kenya, 2 December 1937.

My beloved Jettel:

I can imagine that this letter will upset you, so try to be strong.

Last week, the Jewish community in Nairobi...

agreed to pay for your immigration.

After six months here...

I'll finally be able to organize the trip for you and Regina.

I beg you not to wait another day.

Go see Karl Silbermann at once.

He can help you with the tickets for the ship.

It doesn't matter what kind of ship or how long it takes.

Just so it takes you.

What we need here is a refrigerator.

If it doesn't fit in our chests, then throw out the Rosenthal china.

It's useless here.

Also, get kerosene lamps, mosquito nets...

and sturdy shoes for you and Regina.

Don't try to bring any cash or jewelry with you.

You know what Nazis do to smugglers. And say as little as possible.

There's no one you can trust...

not even people we called our best friends.

Oh, Jettel, my heart wants to burst at the thought of embracing you two.

But it grows heavy imagining how much this letter will hurt your mother.

Walter, you've got malaria.

You have to take this quinine. It's very important.

I have to get back to the farm. Owuor will take care of you.

He needs the quinine 3 times a day.

3 times 40 drops.

Understand?

I understand.

Max, we have to go!

I hate having to say goodbye.

I can't stand train stations either.

This will all be over in one or two years.

So you two are sticking together?

Promise me that you'll stick it out together.

One person always loves more. That's what makes it so difficult.

And the one who loves more is vulnerable.

My son loves you...

very much.

I'm going to miss you so much, Max.

Mama!

Tell her goodbye, please.

Eat this. It will take the fire out of your body.

Very good!

- Ever heard of the "Silesian Heaven?" - "Silesian?"

Meat, potatoes, bacon and dried fruit all mixed together.

I don't understand a word!

In my first life I was a lawyer.

Owuor, this is for you.

- You're giving me your coat? - It's a robe.

I was ill, and you looked after me.

I am very grateful to you, Owuor.

I wore the robe in my homeland.

I wasn't a bwana there.

I worked with my head.

And here you don't want to wear the robe anymore?

You have to be smart to wear a robe.

Here in Rongai you're smart. Not me.

I'll have to say the word often...

so I can pronounce it just like you do.

Thank you.

We traveled 6 weeks by steamship around Africa.

On 20 April 1938, the Führer's birthday...

we arrived in Nairobi.

Regina, take this please.

Mrs. Redlich?

Mr. Morrison, who owned the cattle farm where Papa worked...

picked us up at the train station.

It reminded me of chocolate and what Mama told me on the ship.

We were poor now.

"So there's no chocolate for poor kids," she said.

And I had promised to be brave.

Hey, come here!

- What did the cow die of? - We don't have enough water.

Shit! It's always the same!

You have to dig a well!

A well!

There's a car!

Where?

Over there!

Everything's all right now.

My dearest.

Welcome.

Welcome, little memsaab.

Come here.

Welcome to Rongai!

Regina, my girl! Come here!

Papa! We traveled by ship, and we were in England and Morocco...

and all over the harbor.

I saw dolphins, and Mama danced.

Bwana, he means water.

Tell the man what to do.

Yes, bwana.

Your father took care of the paperwork, the refugee tax and everything.

We were lucky. In Hamburg they only opened one chest full of clothes.

Max gave me "Magic Mountain" for you.

Thank goodness the books were in the other chest.

I'm sorry, Jettel.

I know this isn't what you were expecting.

It's lovely.

But we can't live here.

Not that one! Don't unpack the patterned china.

We won't be staying here long.

Learn German if you want to talk to me.

Plate.

Careful!

Jettel, my name is Süsskind.

Also Walter.

- But everyone calls me Süsskind. - I see.

Walter is showing Regina the farm. They'll be back soon.

- Like to have dinner with us? - Very kind of you. Yes.

I just spent four hours driving through the desert.

You'll probably have to put up with me for the night.

I brought you some onions and sugar.

And cigarettes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Blessed Sabbath.

I haven't heard the Kiddush for ages.

Up to now I've never felt I needed God.

If you take quinine every day, you'll go blind.

What about malaria?

You can always combat it if you catch it in time.

Here's to the arrival of Jettel and Regina.