The film “TREASURE – FAMILY IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY” is a moving work that impresses with its thematic depth as well as its unique blend of humor and tragedy. It stars Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry as a father-daughter duo who embark on a journey to Poland to explore the history of their Jewish family. What follows is not only a journey into the past, but also an emotional confrontation with the Holocaust and its impact on subsequent generations.
A father-daughter story in the context of history
The movie begins in 1991, shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Ruth Rothwax, a 36-year-old music journalist from New York, decides to travel to Poland with her father Edek, a Holocaust survivor. Her aim is to explore her family’s history and better understand her parents’ traumas. Edek, on the other hand, wants to put the past to rest and repeatedly sabotages Ruth’s plans. This dynamic leads to numerous comical, but also deeply moving moments in which the two come to terms not only with their family history, but also with their difficult relationship with each other.
The film adaptation of a key novel
The film is based on the novel “Too Many Men” by Lily Brett, a bestselling author who knows how to capture the Jewish experience and human existence in a profound way. Julia von Heinz, the director and screenwriter, has taken on this original and delivered her most ambitious work to date. The film adaptation preserves the essence of the novel, in particular the complex relationship between father and daughter, and translates it with a fine sense of humor and tragedy.
The journey as a central motif
Warsaw, Łódź and Auschwitz are the central locations of the film. These places are not just geographical stops, but also symbolize the emotional journey that Ruth and Edek go through. While Edek repeatedly tries to repress the past, Ruth is driven by a deep need to understand her family’s history and thus also herself. The journey to Auschwitz, the place of horror, forms the emotional climax of the film. Here, the inability of the two to communicate with each other becomes tragically clear, but it is also the moment in which their relationship fundamentally changes.
Humor and tragedy go hand in hand
One of the outstanding features of the film is the balance between humor and tragedy. Despite the serious subject matter, Julia von Heinz succeeds in staging the film with a certain lightness. The comic situations that arise from the contrasts between Ruth’s determination and Edek’s laissez-faire attitude provide refreshing moments that make the viewer smile time and again. At the same time, the gravity of the subject matter is always present, giving the film an impressive emotional depth.
An international production with strong characters
The casting of Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry gives the film additional radiance. Both actors not only contribute their acting skills, but also have a personal connection to the story, which makes their portrayal even more authentic and touching. Dunham, known for her work on the series “Girls”, and Fry, a British multi-talent, harmonize perfectly and convincingly bring the complex dynamics of their characters to the screen.
A movie with current relevance
Although the film is set in 1991, its subject matter is highly topical. Dealing with the past, the silence between the generations and the search for identity are themes that are still of great importance today. The film poses the question of how one should deal with the burden of the past and whether it is possible to find healing by coming to terms with one’s own heritage.
Conclusion on “Treasure – Family is a foreign country”
“Treasure – Family is a fremdes Land” is a film that is both intellectually and emotionally moving. It shows in an impressive way how a journey into the past can help us to understand our own lives and our relationships with those close to us. With a brilliant cast, sensitive staging and profound subject matter, this film is a valuable contribution to the 2024 cinema year and a must-see for anyone who wants to explore the question of identity, family and coming to terms with the past.
Press reviews of the movie
“The wonderful thing about this film is that it retains a sense of lightness despite the serious subject matter.” ARD TTT
“Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham are the double-act you never knew you needed.” THE TIMES
“A powerful example of how reconnecting with family and the past can be an unexpected treasure.” VARIETY
About the author
Kinga Bartczak advises, coaches and writes on female empowerment, new work culture, organizational development, systemic coaching and personal branding. She is also the managing director of UnternehmerRebellen GmbH and publisher of the FemalExperts magazine .
