Film Review: In a Land That No Longer Exists (In Einem Land, Das Es Nicht Mehr Gibt)
by Erin Huebscher

IN A LAND THAT NO LONGER EXISTS (IN EINEM LAND, DAS ES NICHT MEHR GIBT)
Aelrun Goette, Germany 2022

Based on the writer-director’s own experiences back in the GDR (German Democratic Republic), this coming-of-age film centers around Suzie (Marlene Burow), the highly intelligent and strikingly beautiful protagonist, who longs for a different life outside the confines of communism. Upon getting expelled from school for having a banned book by George Orwell in her backpack, she is sent to a cable factory to work as a machinist and prove herself a worthy citizen. After being photographed on her way to work by a handsome photographer Coyote (David Schütter), whom she later falls in love with—Suzie is suddenly thrust into the East Berlin fashion world when she lands the cover of the legendary magazine, “Sibylle.”

This film does an excellent job of capturing those last few months of the GDR before the Wall fell—the rules, the expectations, the underlying homophobia, the overt misogyny, and perhaps most of all, the lack of freedom. Ultimately, Suzie finds her own way and her own voice, after much internal struggle and heartbreak.