Anita B. (2014)

Immediately after WWII, Anita, a young survivor of Auschwitz, looks at the world with worried eyes. She quickly finds herself involved in an intense and passionate affair that almost ... See full summary »

Director:

Roberto Faenza

Writers:

Edith Bruck (novel), Roberto Faenza (screenplay)

Stars:

Andrea Osvárt, Antonio Cupo, Eline Powell

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Andrea Osvárt	...	Monika
Antonio Cupo	...	Aron
Eline Powell	...	Anita
Robert Sheehan	...	Eli
Moni Ovadia	...	Zio Jacob
Nico Mirallegro	...	David
Jane Alexander	...	Sarah
Clive Riche	...	Medico (as Anthony Clive Riche)
Guenda Goria	...	Pianist
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christian Bianco	...	Milos
Eva Kuen	...	Prisoner
Emma Lo Bianco	...	Young girl (voice)
Franco Moscon	...	Polka Dancer

Storyline

Immediately after WWII, Anita, a young survivor of Auschwitz, looks at the world with worried eyes. She quickly finds herself involved in an intense and passionate affair that almost shatters her, but eventually gives her the strength to rebel and start a new life.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Official Sites:

Anita B. Movie Website Official Website

Country:

Italy Hungary Czech Republic

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 2015 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

€3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jean Vigo Italia, Cinemaundici, Rai Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Decent Movie

An intense and heartfelt movie, the story of Anita B immediately captures the attention of the viewer. Anita B is the story of a young girl who has just been rescued from the horrors of Auschwitz by the Red Cross. The movie opens showing a Red Cross van driving across the beautiful, but desolate and snowy mountains. Soon the complex and intriguing character Eli appears to escort Anita back to her new home. Anita's new life commences in the house of her only living relative: her aunt, Monika. Having lost both her parents in Auschwitz, Anita struggles to honor her aunt's request to avoid mentioning the horrors she witnessed. We even learn that Anita was loath to leave Auschwitz as her parents had not survived. Anita does not want to forget her parents and thus confides in little baby Roby about her past. The cinematography was beautiful and the story realistic. Through Anita, Eli and Monika, one comes to understand how much the Holocaust affected people's lives. Anita has a clear case of survivor's guilt, but wants to face the past. Eli and Monika are both frustrated with Anita's inability to forget. Both don't want to remember the horrible circumstances in which their loved ones died. In this way, this film shows us how much the past can influence who we are. Because of their experiences, Monika and Eli have turned into somewhat cold and selfish people. Yet this film also shows that they are not inherently like that, but rather are only trying to protect themselves from their own memories. They don't want to show how they really feel. Instead they have built a wall around them and are only trying to ensure their own survival. Monika's husband acts as the middle ground and tries to keep the peace. The romance between Anita and Eli is not simple. Learning later that Eli has his own dark past, the viewer begins to have compassion for him. At times he is kind and protects Anita, but all too often he dismisses Anita's pleas for him to stop his advances. At times he appears to be the heartless villain. At first afraid of Eli, Anita grows to love him and believes he feels the same about her. In the end Anita realizes what she wants and chooses to leave him.

The development of Anita is especially captivating. At first a small, weak, lost girl, Anita transforms into a strong young woman, who takes hold of her future. She confronts those who try to stand in her way and demands respect. Despite her troubling past, in the end, Anita is able to move on. The only baggage she has is the future.