Stormwind 4 – Eastwind: Aris Ankunft (2019)

Directed by: Theresa von Eltz | 102 minutes | family | Actors: Luna Paiano, Amber Bongard, Cornelia Froboess, Marvin Linke, Tilo Prückner, Hanna Binke, Lili Epply, Sabin Tambrea, Henriette Morawe, Marion Alessandra Becker, Meret Becker, Detlev Buck, Timo Dierkes, Michael A. Grimm, Ruth Hamm, Thomas Helm, Lisa Karlström, Nina Kronjäger, Andreas Wolf

Two years after the third part in the ‘Stormwind’ series, the series is breaking new ground with ‘Stormwind 4’. Not only is there a new director – Theresa von Eltz takes over from regular director Katja von Garnier – there is also a new protagonist: Luna Paiano as Ari, who has been labeled a difficult child. For Mika fans, don’t worry: Mika still plays a part, but in ‘Stormwind 4’ she’s mostly confined to a hospital bed.

This all has to do with a steppe fire in Andalusia, as a result of which the seemingly idyllic reunion between Stormwind and Mika at the start of ‘Stormwind 4’ ends in tragedy: Stormwind is traumatized and is brought back to Kaltenbach for treatment; Mika is in a coma, while there is really nothing else physically that keeps her in that coma.

Meanwhile, we meet twelve-year-old Ari, the actual main character in this family film. As mentioned, Ari is a problem child. The number of foster families in which she has not been able to find her place can now no longer be counted on one hand. Fortunately, she meets Fanny, who has found her calling in youth care. Fanny immediately realizes how the fork really works and makes sure that she does not end up in a closed youth institution, but at the ‘therapy center’ Kaltenbach.

While it’s not love at first sight between Ari and Stormwind, as it was with Mika and the Black Stallion, it’s clear that the two feel each other. However, Ari has some issues that she needs to work on first. Mr. Kaan helps her with that. That Ari’s arrival at Kaltenbach is essential, however, becomes clear when the new employee Isabell, has nefarious plans that not only endanger the future of the riding school, but also the health of Maria Kaltenbach.

‘Stormwind 4’ once again benefits from the beautiful nature shots in combination with the atmospheric music. It is nice that well-known players from the previous parts cooperated again; no ‘Stormwind’ film without Mika’s grandmother, Mr. Kaan and grandson Sam, not to mention the spontaneous Fanny. It’s not all that in-depth, but the target group doesn’t want that either. With the viewers, this series also grows with the times and it seems that the ‘Stormwind’ series can last for years to come. At least with the target group in rewatch mode.