West

In the very first scene of WEST, Wassilij, Nelly, and their son Alexej seem like a happy family. Playfully throwing snowballs, Nelly and Alexej are wishing Wassilij what appears to be a casual goodbye. Jump to three years later and it's painfully clear that he's never returned. Looking to start a new life, Nelly escapes with her son from East Germany into West Germany during a volatile time for the still divided country. There they live as refugees, having to go through a variety of steps in order to gain citizenship. This process hits a lull when officials begin to question Nelly about her ex, whose death remains suspicious. She soon uncovers information that could put her and Alexej in great danger. The intense paranoia that follows threatens to destroy her sanity and relationship with the fragile Alexej. It's a tale of survival and love, and a testament to the grip that the past can have on our present. A vigorous thriller, WEST also serves as a reminder of the hostile climate of 1970s Berlin. (In English, German, Russian, and Polish with subtitles) —E.F.