Home for the Homeless, is a 2008 Dueck film production, which explains the lives of Mennonites who escaped Russia and fled to Paraguay. The timeline of this is from the 1930’s to 1980. The story is narrated in English while actors in some scenes speak in German. For those who only speak English, some of the conversations held between characters cannot be understood, as some is left without translation. From beginning to end, the viewer is given a glimpse of what life might have been like for these people throughout their settlement and growth in Gran Chaco. Significant moments in history are highlighted in a way that is educational. For those interested in Mennonite history, this film acts as a helpful contribution.

A variety of scenes carry out well illustrated information such as travelling, types of transportation, refugee camps, and different types of work including taming wild cattle and milking. For additional understanding, maps are shown to describe parts of the story, along with old film footage and photos. There is a discussion of how the Mennonites arrived at their assigned location with an explanation of conditions and hazards of their newly inhabited land at the time. There is also some brief background history regarding the Russian Mennonites in order to explain their experiences prior to, and following, the Bolshevik war.

For a time, the Mennonites shared their homeland with another group of people called the Lengua tribe. The ways in which these differing cultures co-existed is addressed in detail, along with the Mennonite’s struggles and successes in the area, as they made way for 2nd and 3rd generations. Agriculture, farming and factory processes are explained. Schools, churches and hospitals are spoken about being that teaching, health care and employment are/were a large part of the community’s activity. Much of the film’s information is easily understandable, moving at a slow but steady pace. The film can be watched as a family; however it is advised to be aware that there are some scenes that may be uncomfortable, such as bombing, a vaccine injection in an arm, and wounds being un-bandaged. Nothing graphic is shown in these.

-Teanna Rozek
2018-08-02
Bibliography
Home for the Homeless (Paraguay). Dueck Film Production. 2008.

Back to Reviews

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.

Back to Reviews