To Moscow with IKEA
There are over 150 IKEA branches all over the world. And now Russia has one of its own. On 22 March 2000, Russia′s first IKEA opened its doors in the Moscow suburb of Khimki. Manuela and Ulf, both loyal IKEA employees, meet and fall in love in an IKEA store in Berlin. They leave their families and decide to go to Moscow. Lost in a world of heavy old furniture, they feel like pioneers bringing Russia its first taste of "brighter living". Ulf′s and Manuela′s entire lives are shaped by the world of IKEA - from the furniture in their apartment to their friends and colleagues. However, their new beginning has its difficulties. Manuela′s son has problems adjusting to his new life in Moscow; Ulf dreams of one day reuniting the family with the children who were left behind in Germany.

But for Manuela and Ulf, the big day has arrived. After an entire year of planning, 37,500 people come to the grand opening - breaking all records in IKEA history.

The film observes the chaos of the first day and accompanies Muscovite families home with their purchases to watch the well- known IKEA assembly procedure. The world of IKEA, it seems, is just what every Russian has been waiting for.

Source: German films Service & Marketing GmbH