After the War: Memoirs of Exile

2014
52m

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At the end of WWII the Red Army advances on the Prussian front. Georg, a young German officer and a father of two, is shot dead by Soviet soldiers, in front of his eldest daughter, and his Jewish-born Ukrainian wife. The bereaved family heads west to Westphalia, then to Holland, arriving in Canada years later, via Lisbon. This investigative documentary is based on a collection of period artifacts, including letters and old photographs, this film explores family historiography and memory in a post-war Europe and Canada, dealing with the complex layers and dilemmas of identity, place- and memory-making, inter-generational transmission of trauma, and the struggle to reconstruct life and home after conflict.
On the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, and in the aftermath of the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea, these dilemmas are as current as ever.

'Old Photographs' (Constantinople) composed by: Christos Hatzis
Performed by: Gryphon Trio

Play trailer3:26

3 Videos

34 Photos

Biography Documentary History War

In 1945, a young German officer is shot dead by Soviet soldiers in front of his Jewish Ukrainian wife, and his 4-year old daughter. Seventy years later, three generations reflect on the memo... Read allIn 1945, a young German officer is shot dead by Soviet soldiers in front of his Jewish Ukrainian wife, and his 4-year old daughter. Seventy years later, three generations reflect on the memories and untold psychological trauma of the War.In 1945, a young German officer is shot dead by Soviet soldiers in front of his Jewish Ukrainian wife, and his 4-year old daughter. Seventy years later, three generations reflect on the memories and untold psychological trauma of the War.

See production info at IMDbPro

YOUR RATING

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See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 4 nominations

Trivia
After the War's musicians jointly have 4 Junos Awards (Canadian music awards): two for the Toronto-based chamber ensemble Gryphon Trio, and two for composer Christos Hatzis, one of which for Constantinople, a part of which was used in the film's soundtrack.