In Darkness (2011)

A dramatization of one man's rescue of Jewish refugees in the Nazi-occupied Polish city of Lvov.

Director:

Agnieszka Holland

Writers:

Robert Marshall (book), David F. Shamoon

Stars:

Robert Wieckiewicz, Benno Fürmann, Agnieszka Grochowska

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Wieckiewicz	...	Leopold Socha
Benno Fürmann	...	Mundek Margulies
Agnieszka Grochowska	...	Klara Keller
Maria Schrader	...	Paulina Chiger
Herbert Knaup	...	Ignacy Chiger
Marcin Bosak	...	Yanek Weiss
Julia Kijowska	...	Chaja
Jerzy Walczak	...	Jacob Berestycki
Oliwer Stanczak	...	Pawel Chiger
Milla Bankowicz	...	Krystyna Chiger
Krzysztof Skonieczny	...	Szczepek
Kinga Preis	...	Wanda Socha
Aleksander Mincer	...	Szlomo Landsberg (as Olek Mincer)
Piotr Glowacki	...	Icek Frenkiel
Maria Semotiuk	...	Mania Keller

Storyline

IN DARKNESS tells the true story of Leopold Socha who risks his own life to save a dozen people from certain death. Initially only interested in his own good, the thief and burglar hides Jewish refugees for 14 months in the sewers of the Nazi-occupied town of Lvov (former Poland).

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Plot Keywords:

refugee | jewish | sewer | thief | husband wife relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, disturbing images, sexuality, nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

Poland Germany Canada

Language:

Polish Ukrainian Yiddish German

Release Date:

5 January 2012 (Poland)

Also Known As:

A város alatt

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$27,413 (USA) (10 February 2012)

Gross:

$1,038,733 (USA) (11 May 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Schmidtz Katze Filmkollektiv, Film Works, The, Polski Instytut Sztuki Filmowej

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Poland's candidate to compete for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2012 Academy Awards.

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Goofs

When Poldek is taking a bath, a scar from a smallpox vaccine is clearly visible on his left arm. Most of the world's populace wasn't vaccinated before the WHO Smallpox Vaccination program began in 1967.

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Connections

Featured in The 84th Annual Academy Awards (2012)

User Reviews

A Touching and Moving Film

I saw this movie at is world premier gala event at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). I must admit that I grew up hearing stories from the script writer, David Shamoon, so I may have some bias to this film. As a novice critic, this is my review: In Darkness is a touching and moving film. This is not a war movie, and it is only partly a Holocaust story. This is a human story. The memoir of one of the survivors, who is portrayed in this film, inspired the book which found its way to David then to Hollywood. Any one who sees this or has any connection to the tragedies of the Second World War will be happy that this story was told. It is unique and not like any other film portrayal that I have ever seen. You must have a stomach for seeing what survival is like when portrayed on the silver screen. You will root for some characters, bit your nails as events unfold, and sigh with relief at numerous occasions. At the end of the film you will have something to talk about with those you watched it with and those you want to recommend it to. See this film and you will be happy that you did.

As a side note, the presentation of the film at TIFF was on 10th anniversary of 9/11 and I would think that TIFF organizers chose this evening and this presentation strategically. There was also a special surprise after the movie, the survivor/writer of the original memoirs cam to stage to thank those involved and present her grand daughters. It brought tears to the audience. I have never been to a movie premier with so much applause before even when big names like Clooney are in attendance.