Recommended TV program - Aylin Tezel stars in Arte's literary adaptation.
Meet Masha, a vibrant young Jewish woman with a talent for chaos and stress, who recently moved into a shared apartment with her boyfriend. This charming, energetic, yet complex character is brought to life by actress Aylin Tezel in the film "The Russian Loves Birch Trees." This emotionally charged movie will be aired on Arte this upcoming Friday at 9:15 pm.
"The Russian Loves Birch Trees" is inspired by the novel of the same name by Olga Grjasnowa. The movie is a skillfully crafted adaptation that captures both the dense emotion and vibrant imagery of the original work. The film premiered in the New German Cinema section at the 2022 Filmfest Munich.
Masha migrated to Germany with her family from the former Soviet country, Azerbaijan, in the 90s. She is surrounded by a diverse group of friends and aspires to become a translator. What she does best is speak five languages effortlessly. She loves going out and hanging out with her boyfriend, Elias (played by Slavko Popadić).
However, there's one aspect of her life that gives Masha trouble. She can't or won't talk about her past, her parents, or her journey from Azerbaijan. She tries to hide these issues by leading a wild, cheerful lifestyle.
But one day, her life takes an unexpected turn. Elias gets injured during a football match and ends up in the hospital. At first, his condition seems manageable. He's recovering with Masha by his side. However, things soon take a turn for worse. Elias succumbs to his injuries and passes away. Masha is devastated by this loss and flees to Israel. There, she tries to escape her pain by building a new life and starting a new relationship in Tel Aviv.
In Tel Aviv, Masha meets Cem, a supportive and encouraging friend, who helps steer her back on path. Cem (played by Sohel Altan Gol) begins to understand that Masha's new romance is simply another way for her to avoid dealing with reality. Eventually, Masha also comes to realize that she can't keep running away from her past and herself.
Read also:
- Despite the tragic event, Masha's story continues to capture the attention of the German media, with many outlets discussing her journey from Germany to Tel Aviv after her boyfriend's death.
- Aylin Tezel's powerful portrayal of Masha in "The Russian Loves Birch Trees" has also garnered attention in international television outlets, such as BBC and CNN, adding to her growing reputation as a powerful actress.
- In Israel, the media has been following Masha's story closely, with local newspapers in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem featuring articles about her new life and relationships.
- The loss of Elias and her subsequent move to Tel Aviv has also sparked a renewed interest in the issue of mental health and coping mechanisms in Germany, with several talk shows and documentaries discussing the topic.
- As "The Russian Loves Birch Trees" airs in different countries, including Germany, France, and Israel, it has sparked conversations about immigration, identity, and loss, resonating with viewers from diverse backgrounds.
