Winter Journey (2019)

"Winter Journey" is a poignant cinematic tapestry woven from the threads of American radio host Martin Goldsmith's deeply personal narrative about his Jewish parents, gifted musicians who were forced to flee the malevolent clutches of Nazi Germany. As the ominous Nuremberg Laws came into effect in 1935, their music, once a symbol of freedom and expression, became a tool for the Reich Chamber of Culture, a sinister propaganda machine masquerading as the Jewish Cultural Federation. In a whirlwind of evocative archive footage, skilfully edited and seamlessly interwoven, the film captures the bitter beauty of their love story against a backdrop of encroaching darkness. The narrative is punctuated by reenactments of Goldsmith's candid conversations with his father, as they peel back the layers of a past shrouded in mystery and pain. The unseen presence of Goldsmith as an interviewer creates an intriguing dynamic with the vulnerable character of his father, portrayed by the enigmatic Bruno Ganz. This interplay transcends the narrative, as Ganz, in a nod to his iconic role as Hitler in Der Untergang (2004), imitates a Nazi official in a moment of unsettling dark humor. Over the course of a single emotionally charged weekend, Martin Goldsmith delves into the labyrinthine past of his parents. In the uncertain and chaotic canvas of the 1930s, he retraces their journey from talented young musicians to refugees fleeing their homeland. "Winter Journey" is a haunting exploration of love, loss, and survival, a testament to the human spirit that reverberates far beyond the echoes of war.

Winter Journey is a drama movie featuring Leonard Scheicher and directed by Anders Østergaard.

Winter Journey is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Chai Flicks.