TV movie in 4 parts. Novel by Uwe Johnson. Von Trotta tells the story of Gesine Cresspahl, who lives in New York as an emigrant from the German democratic republic. Through the eyes of her eleven years old daughter and through articles and headlines from the NY Times we can follow the life in NY. Asked by her daughter Gesine tells her (and us) the story of her life beginning just before WWII until 1967/1968. The novel itself is fascinating because of its complexity and the changes between the three (or four) lines of time. It's just unbelievable that von Trotta could handle the changes of time, but she could! Watching this movie is like reading somebodies diary. Do yourself a favour: learn to read German, read the book, watch the movie!