Faraway (2023)
Story overview
Faraway is a 2023 German-Croatian romantic comedy directed by Vanessa Jopp. The film follows Zeynap Altin, a woman overwhelmed by her demanding job and unappreciative family in Munich. After her mother's funeral is mishandled, Zeynap escapes to a Croatian island holiday home her mother secretly purchased years earlier. There, she hopes to find peace and rediscover herself, but her plans are complicated by Josip, the gruff previous owner who still lives on the property and constantly challenges her with his unconventional perspectives.
Parent Guide
A romantic comedy focusing on adult themes of self-discovery, family dynamics, and midlife reassessment. While generally mild in content, the mature emotional themes make it most appropriate for teens and adults.
Content breakdown
No violence, fighting, or physical peril depicted. Some emotional tension in family relationships.
Brief funeral scene and themes of grief/loss. Some emotional distress as main character deals with family conflicts and personal dissatisfaction.
May include mild exclamations or expressions of frustration typical of romantic comedies. No strong profanity expected given the genre and rating.
Romantic elements typical of the genre, possibly including kissing and romantic tension. No explicit sexual content or nudity expected.
Social drinking may be shown in casual settings (wine with meals, etc.), typical of adult-oriented films set in vacation locations.
Deals with adult themes of midlife crisis, family estrangement, grief, and self-discovery. Emotional conflicts in marriage and parent-child relationships. Some scenes may be emotionally resonant for adults dealing with similar life stages.
Parent tips
This romantic comedy deals with adult themes of midlife dissatisfaction, family dynamics, and self-discovery. While there's no graphic content, the emotional themes and relationship conflicts may be too mature for younger children. The TV-MA rating suggests content may be unsuitable for children under 17 without parental guidance. Parents should be aware this is primarily an adult-oriented story about a woman's personal journey.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
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- What did you think about Zeynap leaving her family to go to the island?
- How would you feel if you discovered a secret about your family like Zeynap did?
- What did you learn about Croatia from this movie?
- How does the film portray the pressures of modern adult life and family expectations?
- What cultural differences did you notice between German and Croatian lifestyles?
- How does Zeynap's relationship with Josip help her personal growth?
- What does the film suggest about finding happiness and purpose later in life?
- How are grief and family relationships handled in the story?
🎭 Story Kernel
Faraway is a poignant exploration of female autonomy and the reclamation of selfhood during middle age. The narrative follows Zeynep Altin, a woman who has spent decades subordinating her needs to those of her unappreciative family in Munich. Upon inheriting a secret property on a Croatian island from her deceased mother, she flees her stifling domesticity. The film moves beyond the typical fish-out-of-water comedy to examine the weight of emotional labor and the liberating power of solitude. It suggests that true inheritance is not the physical land, but the permission to exist for oneself. By stripping away the roles of wife, mother, and daughter, Zeynep is forced to confront her own desires and the cultural heritage her mother tried to preserve. It is a quiet rebellion against the invisibility of aging women, wrapped in a Mediterranean breeze.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
Director Vanessa Jopp and cinematographer Johannes Louis utilize a distinct visual palette to differentiate Zeynep’s two worlds. Munich is depicted with cool, muted tones and tight framing, emphasizing the claustrophobia of her routine. In contrast, the Croatian island of Brač is captured with warm, golden-hour lighting and expansive wide shots that invite the viewer to breathe alongside the protagonist. The stone house, with its rugged textures and overgrown garden, serves as a central visual metaphor for Zeynep’s neglected soul—beautiful but weathered. As she cleans and repairs the structure, the visuals become increasingly vibrant and saturated. The recurring motif of the turquoise Adriatic Sea provides a sense of infinite possibility, symbolizing the fluid nature of identity when removed from the rigid structures of urban life and societal expectations.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
Faraway is a Netflix original production that highlights the platform's investment in European mid-budget adult dramas. Directed by Vanessa Jopp and written by Jane Ainscough, the film was shot primarily on the picturesque Croatian islands of Brač and Šolta. Lead actress Naomi Krauss, who is of German-Swiss-Israeli descent, brings a grounded authenticity to the role, reflecting the film's multicultural themes. Interestingly, the production emphasizes a realistic portrayal of a woman in her 50s, eschewing heavy makeup or Hollywood-style makeovers in favor of a naturalistic aesthetic that celebrates the beauty of aging and the resilience of the female spirit.
Where to watch
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Trailer
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