Im Niemandsland (2019)

The film is set during the period of upheaval, just before the Monetary, Economic and Social Union in the summer of 1990. Alexander Behrendt, who grew up in Kleinmachnow and whose father suffered reprisals under the GDR system and had to flee, puts pressure on the Paulsen family, the current occupants of his childhood home, in order to reclaim it. On the basis of numerous unfounded accusations, he parks a caravan in the street in front of their house as a protest vigil. He categorically rejects a generous offer from the Paulsen family to buy the house. A man who values principles more than relationships, he refuses to listen either to his wife Heidi, who is determined not to drive another family out of their home, or to his 16-year-old daughter Katja, who feels that he is using her and that they have grown apart. He does not even notice that his wife is having an affair with the neighbor. The situation comes to a head when the media announce the principle enshrined in the Unification Treaty: “Restitution before compensation!” When Katja, disgusted by her father’s stubbornness, vandalizes the caravan, she is approached by Thorben, the 17-year-old son of the Paulsen couple. He is impressed by what she has done, and they fall passionately in love. But their relationship is marked from the very beginning by the prejudices between “Wessis” and “Ossis,” further entrenched by Alexander’s hostility. Nevertheless, they gradually grow closer, though at first they have to keep their relationship secret from their parents. Their differences—she being quiet and romantic, he a daring fighter who is now discovering his tender side—also lead to some arguments. The turbulent development of their relationship, with its many misunderstandings and setbacks against the backdrop of the conflict looming over them, lies at the heart of the story. They often meet in “no man’s land,” a strip of sand that was part of the former border fortifications, or on the lock bridge over the Teltow Canal. When Alexander realizes that his behavior is tearing his whole family apart, he comes to his senses and lets Katja persuade him to accept the offer to buy the house and make peace. At the same time, Thorben learns that Maik, his handball coach and fatherly friend, worked for the Stasi. He loses control and beats Maik up, then races home in Maik’s car in a rage. While swerving to avoid something, he hits and injures Katja. He is so devastated by this that he cannot even bring himself to visit her in the hospital. Katja is discharged from the hospital and goes to visit Thorben at home, but no one answers the door. She goes back to “no man’s land.” Thorben, who apparently has seen her, runs after her, puts a hand on her shoulder, and they stand facing each other. They look at each other and touch, but neither of them can find the words.