Russendisko (2012)

In the summer of 1990, Wladimir, Mischa, and Andrej arrive in Berlin as Russians of Jewish descent. Mischa receives a residence permit for only three months because, unlike the other two, he does not come from a Jewish family at all. Their first stop is the foreigners’ hostel in Marzahn. They earn their first money by selling canned beer. At an amateur dance theater, Wladimir sees the pretty Olga and is fascinated by her. Andrej steadily expands his mobile liquor business. Meanwhile, Wladimir and Mischa try their hand at street music. At a performance in a small bar, the three friends meet Olga and her friends. They spend the day together, and Wladimir flirts with Olga. However, she rebuffs his advances because she is going back to Moscow. When his three-month visa expires, the police are supposed to pick Mischa up from the hostel. But the three friends manage to escape. To avoid the police, they live in their car before finding shelter in an apartment with Olga’s help. Meanwhile, Wladimir and Olga finally grow closer. Mischa and Hanna, one of Olga’s friends, also grow closer and decide to get married. But Mischa feels guilty and tells Hanna that his visa has expired, that he can stay only by marrying a German woman, and that he does not love Hanna at all. Since Wladimir knew about the plan to marry, Olga is disappointed in him and leaves him, leading to a falling-out among the three friends. To prevent Mischa’s deportation, Wladimir and Andrej try to make a Jew out of him. The rabbi who is supposed to issue the necessary certificate is not fooled. But since he is looking for an organist for his congregation and Mischa can play the organ, he gives him the required certificate. Olga cannot forgive Wladimir for a long time; only when he declares his love for her over the radio does she return to him. One day, Wladimir discovers the unused function rooms at the pub on the corner. The three friends decide to hold a Russian disco there, and it is a huge success.