No one makes as big an impact on you as family. The people you grow up with help shape your view of the world and the future. Sometimes that sends you down a positive path. Sometimes it creates an expectation or a standard that leaves you feeling behind all your life.

Fatherland, a new film set in Germany in the aftermath of World War II, certainly explores those ideas. On the surface, it’s a simple tale of a father and daughter on a publicity tour. But a lot is wrapped up in the experience, subtext, and relationships.

We open with Klaus (August Diehl) having a frank heart-to-heart with his sister, Erika (Sandra Huller). It’s clear that he’s struggling. He is not only struggling with his life and purpose, but his place in the world. He is connected to Erika, but they are both living in the shadow of their famous father, Thomas (Hanns Zischler). Erika invites Klaus to join them as they return to Germany.

It turns out Erika, Thomas, and Klaus are Germans who have been living abroad. They fled their home country during the Nazi regime. Now, in the aftermath of World War II, Thomas, a famous writer, is returning to his home to be honored for his work. He’s now a citizen of the United States, where he lives, but this is a grand chance to return to Germany, a place still close to his heart. They are being honored in both the West and East, allowing Thomas and Erika, who serves as his assistant and driver, to see what has happened in both halves of their country.

Meanwhile, they both have to wrestle with Germany and the legacy left by the war. They also have to wrestle with where they belong in this new world order, the history of their family, and the pain left behind by both family and the war that tore them from their home.

This is a simple and beautiful tale. It’s only 82-minutes, giving it a lot to mull in a short period of time. But that’s part of what makes it so beautiful. The film comes from Paweł Pawlikowski, who co-wrote the script. He has a great feel for this world and these characters.

The film is shot in some beautiful black-and-white. It does a great job of capturing these locations and bringing post-war Germany to life in a vibrant way. That’s a big part of the appeal and the visual language of the film.

The other appeal is these characters, this journey, and the performances. Huller is the lead and it’s easy to sink into her character and her journey. She’s a powerful actress who breathes life into the character and story. But Zischler is a great partner in the journey. He gives some rousing speeches, but it’s the quiet moments opposite Huller that are the most appealing.

This is a film that will be in the running among International Features. Though some of it is in English, this is a look at Germany and its people in the aftermath of world-changing events. It’s a compelling and engaging journey that is satisfying and worth seeking out.

Fatherland opened in limited release October 23 and goes wider on Friday, November 6.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.