Remain in Me, is a 75 minute documentary about Mennonites and their immigration from Russia to Brazil. This was produced by Adolf Carl Krüger, Martin Töws, Geraldo Braun and Pedro Roberto Wiens, released in 2001. The story is narrated in chronological order, along with scripted scenes to be easily understood. The film also uses photos, film footage (new and old), maps, and paintings to elaborate. Additionally, interviewees give descriptions of firsthand experiences in Brazil’s native language. Not all of the film is in Portuguese however, and for those who are English-only, such parts include English subtitles.

The film covers various topics including the persecution of Christians and the beginning of the state church. There is significant history noted of Johannes Gutenberg, Menno Simons, the 18th Century War in Europe, and Catherine the Great’s invitation to the Mennonites to settle in Southern Russia. Further information involves discussions of work and labor, struggles, achievements, the Russian Revolution, confiscation of land, high taxes, low wages, homelessness and travel.

In the beginning of the film, the viewer is positioned in a way that creates a feeling of being chased through a field. There is the sound of heavy breathing, a pounding heart, and gun shots. A following scene shows a presumed dead body. There is also a brief scene demonstrating a home invasion where there is some violence and is slightly graphic. To parents of young children who are considering this film, viewer discretion is advised.

As the story unfolds, viewers learn about each destination visited by the Mennonites on their way to Brazil. Once settled in Brazil, the Mennonites adapted to a new climate and culture with some difficulty. This is explained, with information on their founded colonies, built houses and plantations, as well as their difficulties in getting used to such changes, and the politics involved with the area. Though the Mennonites had some success within their endeavors, they also endured much hardship and this is explained thoroughly. The film concludes with information on current conditions of the Mennonite communities in Brazil.

-Teanna Rozek
2018-08-02

Bibliography
Krüger, Adolf Carl; Töws, Martin; Braun, Geraldo; Wiens, Pedro Roberto “Permaneci em Mim –
Remain in Me”. Ȇxodo Imagens 2001.

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Through the Desert Goes Our Journey, by Walter R. Ratliff and Jesse Zerger Nathan, is a 57 minute documentary. This film was released by Agile Arts Production in 2008. Many voices tell a story of Mennonites who had believed a prophecy predicting the second coming of Christ at a specific date and time, though this was a falsehood. The film discusses the beliefs around this event focusing on the Mennonites who embarked on ‘the Great Trek’, a pilgrimage led by the “dramatic leader” Claas Epp. The title of the film is based off of one of the songs that would be sung during their travels. Overall, the film is informative in a way that is easily grasped, and can be watched as a family. There is some discussion of war violence included, however, this goes unseen.

From beginning to end there is a clear narrative with an organized order of events. A brief introduction tells the backstory including where the travelling began while explaining emotional events of families parting ways. Throughout the film there are narrators to give voices to those who took part in the pilgrimages, along with photos putting faces to the names. Some featured speakers include descendants of the great trek, historian James C. Juhnke, and Fred Belk, author of The Great Trek. Music ties together scenes, while re-enacted moments, old film footage, and maps of locations along the way provide further understanding. Each interviewee plays a part in explaining how Mennonites migrated 2,000 miles into Central Asia. From one location to another, viewers are given a glimpse of scenic landscapes and monumental structures such as the grandfather blue mosque in Serabulak.

Discussions throughout the film include work and travel conditions endured by the Mennonites, especially the difficulties of maintaining good health in extreme weather. The Molotschna colony, Ak Metchett and the bride community are also discussed. The film explores relationships between Mennonites and Muslims, and their sharing of the Mosques in Khiva. Time is also given to describe how the Mennonites were impacted by Soviet oppression, and the hardships faced through this. The story concludes with the final destination and result of events, as descendants of Claas Epp speak about their cautiousness in new understandings and visions.

-Teanna Rozek
2018-08-02

Bibliography
Ratliff, Walter. “Through the Desert Goes Our Journey”. Agile Arts Production, 2008.
“Through the Desert Goes Our Journey”. IMDB. 1990-2018. July, 2018. Web. <https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326876/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_1>

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