Franz Brenninger (Josef Bierbichler) is a wealthy and respected provincial ironmonger. But Brenninger upsets people with his moodiness. At times powerful and courageous, he can also be so caught up with his own preoccupations that only his wife (Hanna Schygulla) supports him. When his company is in danger of liquidation, he accepts a dubious deal with Kenyan businessmen, who quickly turn out to be swindlers. Madly intent on retrieving his money by himself, he sets off on a journey to Kenya together with the young interpreter Laila (Sibel Kekilli)...
The film is directed by the promising young newcomer to German cinema, Hans Steinbichler, who received acclaim for his first film HIERANKL from critics and film prizes alike. The award-winning film and stage actor Josef Bierbichler performs masterfully in the powerful leading role.
Filmfest Munich 2006: Opening film.
Theatrical release: 23 November 2006
An energy can be felt, a wildness which one knows from fabled times... FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE SONNTAGSZEITUNG
"Winter journey" is one of the most passionate and daring German films of this year TIP BERLIN
"Winter journey" is also a feastful pleasure trip to Africa... DER SPIEGEL