Hamburg Altona
Hamburg Altona

Movie spotlight

Hamburg Altona

1989
Movie
107 min
Serbo-Croatian

Three prisoners, Combe from Rijeka, Menso from Bosnia, and Bogart from Belgrade, escape from prison. Their final destination is the city of their dreams - Hamburg. They temporarily part ways and agree to meet at the train station in Zagreb. First, each of them goes to his hometown. From there on, we follow three separate stories. In the first, Combe, in the shady harbor district of Rijeka, tries to get back at his former crime partner, Mrvi, who turned him in to the police. In the second story, we witness Mensa's relationship with his wife Riza and their children in a small Bosnian village. The third story depicts Bogart's love affair with a young teacher in a Belgrade suburb. Afterwards, at the train station in Zagreb, Bogart finds out from the newspaper that the police caught his friends. At the last minute, he changes the original plan.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Klaus-Peter BastianGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

The film follows the intertwined lives of several individuals in the Altona district of Hamburg during the late 1980s. It explores themes of ambition, disillusionment, and the search for meaning against the backdrop of urban life. Characters navigate personal struggles and relationships, revealing the complexities of their existences.

Critical Reception

Hamburg Altona received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who often highlighted its atmospheric portrayal of Hamburg and the strong performances from its cast. Some reviewers found the narrative a bit meandering, while others praised its realistic depiction of everyday life and character studies.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic depiction of Hamburg's Altona district.

  • Noted for strong acting performances, particularly from the lead cast.

  • Some criticism regarding a less focused or overly introspective narrative.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, making it difficult to ascertain specific likes or dislikes.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in Hamburg, aiming to capture the authentic atmosphere of the Altona district at the time.

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