With this new film, Edgar Reitz’s sprawling, epic Heimat series runs to some 57 hours covering the history of the fictitious Simon family, who live in the equally fictitious rural village of Schabbach. While previous instalments have covered the years 1919 to 2000, Home from Home acts as a prequel, set in Germany in the 1840s, and requires no knowledge of Reitz’s previous work. The primary focus is on Jakob Simon, beguiled by the prospect of seeking his fortune in Brazil, much to the annoyance of his blacksmith father. Despite its almost four-hour running time, audiences will be left wanting more. (Notes by Kevin Coyne)

In partnership with the Goethe-Institut Irland, we are pleased to offer this preview, rescheduled from last year’s IFI Kinofest.