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Usedom: A Clear View of the Sea

Play trailer 2:16 Poster for Usedom: A Clear View of the Sea Released Aug 13, 2021 1h 35m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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For Berliners, the Baltic island of Usedom was once the most luxurious destination for excursions within striking distance of the city. This is where imperial Germany's grand health resorts of Bansin, Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck were built. Heinz Brinkmann, who was born in Heringsdorf, traces the eventful history of his island. He talks about the magnificent villas on Europe's longest beach promenade, about the expulsion of Jewish citizens by the Nazis and about Usedom being split into a German and a Polish half after the Second World War. During the GDR era, most of the spa architecture remained intact because of the lack of means to build something new. Since the fall of the Wall, however, investors have been trying to replace it with indistinguishable luxury residences. Brinkmann also asks people about conservation and change. We hear from the mayor infuriated by the architectural eyesores of recent years, a farmer who bought an island in the Achterwasser lagoon for his organic cattle, a Polish hotel manageress and other bridge-builders between the two countries. Brinkmann also quotes from his own 1992 Usedom film and compares the plans of his former protagonists with today's reality. A discursive tour through a fractured paradise.

Critics Reviews

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Jeannette Catsoulis New York Times Shaping personal and geographical history into sun-drenched dollops, the director Heinz Brinkmann fashions a charmingly quirky guide to his island home. Aug 12, 2021 Full Review Jennie Kermode Eye for Film Brinkmann paints a portrait of a beguiling ghost. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 19, 2021 Full Review Peter Martin ScreenAnarchy A reflective, calming meditation on the price of becoming known for only one thing, even as multitudes of possibilities bob beneath the surface. Rated: 4.5/5.0 Aug 12, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews
Usedom: A Clear View of the Sea

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Cast & Crew

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Heinz Brinkmann

Director

Hans-Uwe Bauer

Narrator

Heinz Brinkmann

Screenwriter

Fritz Hartthaler

Producer

Thomas Plenert

Cinematographer
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Usedom: A Clear View of the Sea

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Movie Info

Synopsis For Berliners, the Baltic island of Usedom was once the most luxurious destination for excursions within striking distance of the city. This is where imperial Germany's grand health resorts of Bansin, Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck were built. Heinz Brinkmann, who was born in Heringsdorf, traces the eventful history of his island. He talks about the magnificent villas on Europe's longest beach promenade, about the expulsion of Jewish citizens by the Nazis and about Usedom being split into a German and a Polish half after the Second World War. During the GDR era, most of the spa architecture remained intact because of the lack of means to build something new. Since the fall of the Wall, however, investors have been trying to replace it with indistinguishable luxury residences. Brinkmann also asks people about conservation and change. We hear from the mayor infuriated by the architectural eyesores of recent years, a farmer who bought an island in the Achterwasser lagoon for his organic cattle, a Polish hotel manageress and other bridge-builders between the two countries. Brinkmann also quotes from his own 1992 Usedom film and compares the plans of his former protagonists with today's reality. A discursive tour through a fractured paradise.
Director
Heinz Brinkmann
Producer
Fritz Hartthaler
Screenwriter
Heinz Brinkmann
Distributor
Big World Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 13, 2021, Limited
Runtime
1h 35m