In Darkness (2011)

A dramatization of one man's rescue of Jewish refugees in the German-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 10 wins & 17 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 German-occupied town of Lvov (former Poland).

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | holocaust | nazi | based on true story | crying baby | 

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Taglines:

From the Director of Europa Europa

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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 [Japan]

Country:

Poland Germany Canada

Language:

Polish Ukrainian Yiddish German

Release Date:

5 January 2012 (Poland)

Also Known As:

A város alatt

Filming Locations:

Brandenburg, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,413, 12 February 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,041,455

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,977,878

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

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 Leopold is being brought by soldiers to meet Kovalev, he has a bag, then he hasn't and then he has it again.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Vow (2012)

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Soundtracks

Dido's Lament
Written by Henry Purcell
Performed by Urska Arlic Gololicic (Soprano) and Maria Komasa-Lazarkiewicz (Harpsichord)
[from the opera Dido and Aeneas]

User Reviews

Evokes the proper sense of claustrophobia

My last day in Savannah, I had the the misfortune of having to choose between seeing Lily Tomlin in person at a tribute/screening of "The Late Show" or seeing Agnieszka Holland's baity but promising Holocaust drama, "In Darkness." I chose the later with the hope that I would see Tomlin somewhere around town. I didn't spot her, but I am very pleased with my choice.

"In Darkness" tells the tale of Leopold Socha, a Catholic sewer worker in Lvov, Poland during the Nazi occupation. Along with his work partner, Socha (played magnificently by Robert Wieckiewicz) has begun breaking into the vacant homes of Jewish citizens that have been moved into the ghetto and stashing their valuables in the sewers for his own personal safekeeping. Meanwhile, as the Nazi's began their assault on the ghetto, a large group of Jews manage to dig down under their house and into the sewers where they are surprised by Socha just minutes after breaking through. Socha sees an opportunity to make some money and a deal is struck.

The audience is introduced to so many characters in the first half hour, it can be a bit difficult to know who you really need to focus on. Aside from the obvious lead, Socha, it soon becomes apparent who the other main players are and you form your attachments appropriately. While you see Socha as a loving husband and hard-working father right off the bat, how he takes advantage of the already desperate crowd he finds beneath the city showcases him as a bit less than a hero. Having him forced on you as the unlikely protagonist allows for a great evolution to play out. Wieckiewicz gives us a deeply nuanced turn as he we watch him learn both the impact he has had on those in the darkness and the impact they have had on him.

Visually, the movie is as dark as the name suggests. At least half of the film takes place in the sewers, thus evoking the proper sense of claustrophobia. A couple shots in particular felt nearly iconic to me; a woman in vivid blue running through the gray streets of the ghetto during the Nazi raid, Socha bringing a little girl up to the surface just enough to poke her head above the street. The production tips closer to minimalistic than lush, which works well under Holland's careful direction and in the bleak setting.

The movie is very powerful and carries a scholarly tone that should allow it to maintain a presence in the genre for years. As far as the Academy is concerned, this is a sure bet for a Best Foreign Language nomination (as Poland's submission) and a definite contender to take home the trophy. Wieckiewicz would have a place on my ballot as well as considerations for the film in Best Picture and several technical categories. This would be a great film for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival to add to their lineup.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Check out more reviews by Cameron McAllister at Reel Georgia - www.ReelGA.com