Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe (2016)

In the tumult of 1936, renowned Austrian author Stefan Zweig, celebrated for masterpieces like "24 Hours of a Woman's Life" and "Letter from an Unknown Woman", finds himself journeying away from his homeland. Fleeing the ominous specter of Nazism that spreads its cold shadow over Germany and threatens his native Austria, Zweig, a Jew repulsed by the inhumanity festering in his home continent, seeks refuge in the vibrant landscapes of South America. Brazil, with its promise of diversity and liberty, becomes his sanctuary. Upon his arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Zweig is warmly welcomed by the local elite at the city's prestigious Jockey Club. However, the expectation for him to publicly condemn Hitler and his regime leaves a bitter taste. Zweig, ever the humanist, resists the urge to oversimplify and vilify his homeland and its people. Instead, he chooses to retain his dignity, his humanity, refusing to surrender to sweeping condemnations. As he navigates his years of exile, Zweig grapples with his inner turmoil, wrestling with the "right attitude" towards the war-torn Europe he left behind. Amidst this inner struggle, he is seduced by the magnetic allure of Brazil. His heart captivated by its raw beauty and cultural richness, he embarks on the creation of a new book, a literary homage to his newfound home. Accompanied by his second wife, Lotte, Zweig traverses across the vast, variegated Brazilian landscapes, venturing even into the most remote corners. The journey becomes not just a physical exploration but a voyage of the soul, a search for a new home and his place in this vast, chaotic world. "Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe" is thus an exploration of exile, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst a world in turmoil.

Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe is a drama movie featuring Josef Hader and directed by Maria Schrader.

Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on OVID.

It is also possible to buy Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe on Apple TV.