Watch Sara Stein: Shalom Berlin, Shalom Tel Aviv

Sara Stein: Shalom Berlin, Shalom Tel Aviv is a German-Israeli drama film from 2016 that explores the themes of identity, family, and belonging. The movie is directed by Dani Levy and stars Katharina Lorenz, Neta Riskin, and Katharina Schubert in lead roles. The movie revolves around the life of Sara Stein (Katharina Lorenz), a successful novelist who lives in Berlin. She is a strong-willed woman who loves her independence and cherishes her personal experiences. However, everything changes when she receives a call from her grandfather, who lives in Tel Aviv, asking her to come to Israel for a family event.

Initially, Sara resists the idea of visiting Israel. She is not comfortable with the idea of reconnecting with her family and revisiting her Jewish identity. Nevertheless, she ultimately decides to go and explore the roots of her family and rediscover her connection with Judaism.

The movie is divided into two parts, each exploring Sara's experiences in Berlin and Tel Aviv, respectively. In Berlin, Sara is seen as a successful writer who has built a life of independence, away from the demands of her family. She enjoys the company of her German friends and is comfortable with her German identity. However, things take a different turn when she reaches Tel Aviv and meets her family members.

In Tel Aviv, Sara starts to explore her Jewish identity and reconnects with her family, which includes her uncle Gadi (Hans Löw), aunt Shosh (Katharina Schubert), and cousin Naftali (Henriette Confurius). She is also introduced to her Israeli cousin Jonathan (Golo Euler), who initially appears to be very different from her German friends. However, as she spends more time with him, she realizes that they share many similarities, despite their cultural differences.

While in Tel Aviv, Sara learns about the hardships of her family and their experiences during the Holocaust. She also comes to terms with her own identity and realizes that she is not just a German writer but also a Jewish woman. The movie showcases the emotional journey that Sara goes through as she reconnects with her family, revisits her roots, and finds a new sense of belonging.

The movie is beautifully shot and captures the essence of both Berlin and Tel Aviv. It highlights the cultural differences and similarities between the two cities, as well as the struggles that Sara faces as she tries to reconcile her German and Jewish identity. The performances of the lead actors are exceptional, especially that of Katharina Lorenz, who portrays the complex character of Sara Stein with great finesse.

Overall, Sara Stein: Shalom Berlin, Shalom Tel Aviv is a must-watch movie for anyone interested in exploring the themes of identity, family, and belonging. The emotional journey of the lead character is relatable and engaging, and the movie's excellent direction and cinematography make it a visual treat.

Sara Stein: Shalom Berlin, Shalom Tel Aviv is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.