Utta Danella: Der blaue Vogel (2001)

As a child, Christine Kamphoven witnesses her father, driven by jealousy, shoot her pregnant mother and her mother’s new partner. With her father now in prison, she grows up at Breedenkamp in Ostholstein with her grandfather Jon, who breeds horses there. Her neighbor Oliver, also a horse breeder, is in love with her. Then Christine learns that her mother’s child survived and is now 17 years old. Her musically gifted half-sister Mara lives in Italy, and Christine brings her to Breedenkamp. Mara’s interest and talent in playing the violin make her a stark contrast to the horse-mad Christine. Christine falls in love with Julian Jablonka, a journalist. Mara also develops a crush on Julian. Christine finds the two of them in what appears to be a compromising situation. Julian rejects Mara, however, because he is in love with Christine. Julian flies to Italy to bring Magnus, Christine’s father, back to Breedenkamp. Magnus has since been released from prison. After the bloody deed, however, his father Jon disowned him. On the return flight, Julian, who is piloting the plane, is killed in a crash. Christine is inconsolable, but soon discovers that she is pregnant. Jon also suffers a heart attack. This brings the estate’s serious financial difficulties to light. Oliver is always there for Christine, as are her best friend Winnie and the housekeeper Telse. Oliver, who is still in love with Christine, stays by her side throughout her pregnancy and the birth. The two eventually become a couple. At their wedding, Christine’s father Magnus comes to Breedenkamp at her request, something Jon ultimately accepts.