“Jewish-Russian-German”

Robert Schulzmann’s movie “ХАЙМ – Home” documents the young faces of the “quota” refugees from the USSR and the multifaceted phenomenon of the Soviet Jews in Germany.

“I am Robert. Schulzmann. German, Jewish, and also Russian. A so-called quota refugee. I was three, and my brother had just been born, when my parents decided to leave Riga and make a new start in Germany. We moved into an uncertain future in an old ambulance that was converted into a camper and with ten D-Mark in our pocket.

25 years later, it is time for me to ask questions about my identity and my roots and to take stock.”

As a filmmaker Robert Schulzmann portrays the former quota refugees from the USSR as a regular feature of German society. On film, he meets, in addition to his parents, other “Soviet Jews” of different generations to talk about their identity, their beliefs, and life in Germany. Through this process, it becomes apparent how opinions, realities, and desires diverge and how each person, in their own way, tries to find his or her place in society. The term “home” plays a key role in this context.

In calm observant shots and intimate interviews, the film shows the introspection of the filmmaker who, as part of this group, tries to sharpen his perspective – both of his family and his German environment.

The film is sponsored by different culture foundations. Its completion is scheduled for early 2016.

Visual recordings from the film “ХАЙМ – Home”