Watch Westwind

Westwind is a German drama film that was released in 2011. The movie is set in the 1980s in East Germany, during the Cold War. It tells the story of a group of young athletes who dream of competing in the Olympic Games, against all odds. The main character in the movie is Julia, played by Friederike Becht. Julia is a young and talented sprinter who lives with her family in a small town in East Germany. She has been training for years, hoping to one day make it to the Olympics. Julia is driven to succeed and she trains hard every day, but she struggles to make ends meet. She lives in a cramped apartment with her parents and siblings, and the family is constantly struggling to put food on the table.

Despite the challenges she faces, Julia is determined to make it to the Olympics. Her coach, Herr Jäger (played by Frederick Lau), believes in her and helps her to train for competitions. Julia's best friend, Lisa (played by Luise Heyer), is also an athlete and they train together regularly.

One day, a new coach arrives to train the team. His name is Dieter (played by Franz Dinda) and he is an ex-athlete who has returned from West Germany. Dieter has new training methods that are very different from what the athletes are used to. His methods are more intense and he pushes the athletes to their limits. Julia is initially skeptical of Dieter's methods, but she soon realizes that he may be the key to helping her achieve her dream of making it to the Olympics.

As the athletes train harder and harder, tensions begin to rise among them. Lisa becomes jealous of Julia's success and begins to resent her. Julia also has to deal with the disapproval of her parents and the local authorities, who see her dream of competing in the Olympics as a threat to the state. The Cold War is also a constant presence in the background, with the West Berlin Wall looming just across the border.

The movie is beautifully shot and captures the atmosphere of East Germany in the 1980s. The period details are spot on, from the clothing and hairstyles to the music and the cars. The performances are strong across the board, with Becht, Heyer, and Dinda all turning in excellent performances.

What sets Westwind apart from other sports dramas is its exploration of the political climate of East Germany at the time. The movie shows how politics and sports were intricately intertwined, and how the communist regime used sports as a means of propaganda. The athletes are constantly being watched and monitored, and their dreams of success are always at risk of being crushed by the state.

Overall, Westwind is a powerful and moving film that tells a compelling story of perseverance, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of adversity. It's a must-see for anyone interested in German history, sports, or human drama.