Set in Frankfurt in 1946 following the close of World War II, this is the droll story of a group of Jewish survivors in a U.N. “displaced persons” camp who decide to sell high-end “dowry” linens to raise enough money to emigrate to America. Led by David Bermann (Moritz Bleibtreau), whose family’s once-elegant linen emporium was ravaged by the Nazis, they become savvy peddlers. “It’s an art,” David explains. “Anyone can solicit. It’s the sales pitch, the show that counts. Your customers should basically kneel down and beg to buy from you.” Working with other survivors, David is remarkably successful. But then he’s summoned by U.S. Army Intelligence Investigator Sara Simon (Antje Traue), who is suspicious about how he got preferential treatment in the concentration camp when his parents and brothers were killed at Auschwitz. Was he, perhaps, a Nazi collaborator? Not exactly. Overheard telling a joke, Baumann was summoned by the commandant to embark on a bizarre assignment. Since Hitler was scheduled to meet with Mussolini, who was known as a jovial storyteller, Bauman was sent to Berlin to teach the Führer how to tell a joke. As the interrogation continues, it becomes obvious that while Baumann served as a reluctant court jester in the death camp, he actually had other plans in mind. Adapted from the first two books of German-Swiss novelist Michel Bergmann’s 2010-13 Teilacher trilogy, Bye Bye Germany is skillfully directed by Sam Garbarski, blending comedy with tragedy while revealing the backstories not only of David but also of his hawker comrades, who note, “We’re the Jewish revenge.” Bittersweet and picaresque, this offbeat Holocaust film is recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the bonus short film “Strings” (3 min.). Bottom line: a small extras package for a fine foreign film.] (S. Granger)
Bye Bye Germany
Film Movement, 102 min., in German w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $24.95, Aug. 7 Volume 33, Issue 5
Bye Bye Germany
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