The ZDF two-parter “Landgericht – Geschichte einer Familie”, based on the award-winning novel by Ursula Krechel, tells the true story of a Jewish-Christian family that survived persecution and exile during the Nazi era and dares to make a new start in West Germany after the end of the war. But the children, alienated in exile in England, and their traumatized parents find it difficult to return to a life together on German soil.

Filming
At the end of February 2016, filming began in Berlin on the two-part series “Landgericht – Geschichte einer Familie”, which UFA FICTION produced for ZDF. The lead roles are played by Johanna Wokalek (“The Baader Meinhof Complex”, “The Pope”) and Ronald Zehrfeld (“Tannbach”, “Barbara”). The other roles are also played by top-class actors including Barbara Auer, Ulrike Kriener, Katharina Wackernagel, Christian Berkel and Felix Klare. The film is directed by Matthias Glasner and filmed by Jakub Bejnarowicz. The screenplay was written by Heide Schwochow.

Producers Benjamin Benedict and Nico Hofmann on the project
“The radical view in “Landgericht – Geschichte einer Familie” opens up space for human contradictions, abysses and conflicts, even in the immediate post-war period. It is about people who can no longer hide their speechlessness and their injuries. Heide Schwochow’s psychologically accurate adaptation of Ursula Krechel’s novel tells more precisely than ever before how flight and expulsion make it impossible to take life for granted.”

Landgericht – Geschichte einer Familie 1. Teil
1938, shortly before the Second World War: The Jewish lawyer and his Protestant wife Claire are forced to send their children to England with an aid organization. Shortly afterwards, Richard is also forced to emigrate and goes to Cuba. He is unable to bring his children and wife to Cuba, as was actually his plan. Claire flees from Berlin to southern Germany. The war makes it impossible for them to keep in touch until the family finally breaks up.

Landgericht – Geschichte einer Familie 2. Teil
Claire manages to track down Richard in Cuba, who returns to her in Germany in 1947. Here he takes a job as a lawyer at the Mainz District Court and fights in vain for restitution. He becomes increasingly embittered by the constant rejections. Meanwhile, Claire tries in vain to bring her children back to Germany. Claire and Richard’s relationship deteriorates drastically. In Friedrich’s absence, Claire suffers a stroke and dies. Richard is left alone.