Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Marco Hofschneider | ... | Sally | |
André Wilms | ... | Kellerman | |
Ashley Wanninger | ... | Eric | |
![]() |
Klaus Abramowsky | ... | Sally's Father |
![]() |
Michèle Gleizer | ... | Sally's Mother |
Delphine Forest | ... | Inna Moyseyevna | |
![]() |
René Hofschneider | ... | Isaak, Sally's Brother |
Julie Delpy | ... | Leni | |
Hanns Zischler | ... | Captain von Lereneau | |
![]() |
Martin Maria Blau | ... | Ulmayer |
![]() |
Bernhard Howe | ... | Feldwebel |
![]() |
Klaus Kowatsch | ... | Schulz |
Holger Kunkel | ... | Kramer | |
Halina Labonarska | ... | Leni's Mother | |
Andrzej Mastalerz | ... | Zenek Dracz |
A Jewish boy, separated from his family in the early days of WWII, poses as a German orphan and is thereafter taken into the heart of the Nazi world as a 'war hero' and eventually made a Hitler Youth. Although improbabilities and happenstance are cornerstones of the film, it is based upon a true story. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
When, this summer, I saw "Saving Private Ryan", I was immediately reminded of this film. Using the same kind of camera angles that got Spielberg praise in "Ryan", we see the hollowness of the war-torn psyche and the brutality that emerges in people during warfare. We see hideous indoctrination that the German youth were subjected to, giving them depth beyond a few simple lines. Most of all, however, we see the absurdity inherent in such a large scale, world-shattering conflict. The film communicates its message with a clarity that makes one almost uneasy. As good as "Ryan" was, this is better.