Poland has had a very tough luck at Oscars always, whenever the country comes up with some quality film it is overshadowed by something better. Similar is the case with IN DARKNESS who lost Oscar to A SEPARATION (IRAN).
"Another holocaust movie" is what one might think before watching this film but this movie turns out to be very different and depicts a different angle to the genocide in Poland.
The film boosted stellar performances from its entire cast, Robert Wieckiewicz gives an incredible performance as a sewer cleaning man who gives refuge to a group of Jews in sewer initially for money but ends up turning on their side and does everything in his control to protect them from the mass killing taking place over the sewer. The ensemble supporting cast was terrific and sincere to their respective roles.
The film was visually stunning, the dark and cold cinematography authentically elevates the mood and atmosphere of the film.
Agnieszka Holland succeeds in exploring the tragedy and the circumstances in which these Jews survived with utmost intensity. Though the sex in the film looks forced and the film could've done well without those explicit sex scenes, the film never disappoints you on the subject level and that's what really counts.
I could literally smell the grotesque sewer while watching the movie, it was unimaginable how these people kept themselves alive in such difficult time in such a place in constant fear.
"Another holocaust movie" is what one might think before watching this film but this movie turns out to be very different and depicts a different angle to the genocide in Poland.
The film boosted stellar performances from its entire cast, Robert Wieckiewicz gives an incredible performance as a sewer cleaning man who gives refuge to a group of Jews in sewer initially for money but ends up turning on their side and does everything in his control to protect them from the mass killing taking place over the sewer. The ensemble supporting cast was terrific and sincere to their respective roles.
The film was visually stunning, the dark and cold cinematography authentically elevates the mood and atmosphere of the film.
Agnieszka Holland succeeds in exploring the tragedy and the circumstances in which these Jews survived with utmost intensity. Though the sex in the film looks forced and the film could've done well without those explicit sex scenes, the film never disappoints you on the subject level and that's what really counts.
I could literally smell the grotesque sewer while watching the movie, it was unimaginable how these people kept themselves alive in such difficult time in such a place in constant fear.