Irena's Vow 2023 Magnet Link

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However, the area is occupied by German troops

Through the eyes of a strong-willed woman, we learn the extraordinary story of Irena Gut and the triumphs of the human spirit over devastating tragedy as she risks her life to save a generation of Jews from the horrors of the Holocaust. Although this Canadian film had a much wider theatrical release in Canada than the typical Canadian film, for some reason its distributor, Elevation Pictures, decided not to give the film a significant marketing budget. As a result, the film did poorly at the box office and was pulled from most theaters at the end of its third week of release. (approx. 2 minutes) The opening title card announces that the events take place on the eastern border of Poland. This area of ​​​Poland has been invaded by the Soviet Union.

Greetings again from the darkness

Irena Gut Opdyke: What difference does it make who we are? What we do is who we are. BoumMusic by Charles TrenetLyrics by Charles TrenetPerformance by Charlie and his Orchestra. The film is based on the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke, who vowed during World War II, “If I could save my life, I would.” Directed by Louise Archambault, the film adaptation was handled by Dan Gordon, the playwright of the hit Broadway play. Cinema has been used many times over the years to shine a light on the many people who acted altruistically to protect Jews from the Nazis. Some of these heroes saved one life, while others saved hundreds.

The courage of these people deserves to be remembered

The film begins in 1939, as the Germans invade Warsaw. A bomb falls on the hospital where Irena (Sophie Nelisse) works. She is Polish, not Jewish, so she is sent to work in a munitions factory. Her features make her recognizable to the senior German officer Rugmer (Dougray Scott, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, 2011), who reassigns her to supervise the Jews working in the hotel laundry. When Rugmer reassigns her to his villa as a housekeeper, he learns that the Jews in the laundry are to be sent to a concentration camp. We are fascinated by Irena’s work as she rescues and then hides these twelve people…

There is little humor here

and does so literally under Rugmer’s feet. Of course, this puts her and the Jews in hiding in danger, but also Rugmer, who would surely be shot if they were discovered in his home. In fact, it is one of the most terrifying scenes you will ever see in a movie. It is a devastating moment, and one that will not be quickly erased from my memory. In a rare display of levity, Irena befriends an elderly servant named Schultz (Andrzej Seweryn, SCHINDLER’S LIST, 1993), who advises her to keep her distance from people and “know nothing.” Fans of the old “Hogan’s Heroes” series will appreciate this connection. The current issue of anti-Semitism gives this film a somewhat contemporary feel, as does the discussion of abortion among those in hiding.

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At first, we can’t help but wonder if this was for dramatic effect, although the answer becomes quite clear after the credits. Sophie Nelisse was exceptional in THE BOOK THIEF and is also great here, playing Irena Gut Opdyke, who much later in life was honored as a Righteous Among the Nations… after being imprisoned for supporting the Nazis. The epilogue explains much of what happened, and it all leaves us with the utmost respect for this quiet, courageous woman.