Schindler's List

I have another Holocaust movie to write about, and this time its the Academy Award winner, Schindler's List. I have a theory that the reason (in my opinion) there are so many good movies about the Holocaust is because the film-makers must ensure they produce something interesting and unique to set it apart from the myriad movies already made on the topic. As such, I found Schindler's List particularly interesting as it is based on the amazing true story of Oskar Schindler.

Schindler's List tells the story of profiteering German factory owner, Schindler, who ended up virtually "penniless" (IMDb) after buying the 1100 Jews who worked for him - to save them from the gas chambers. With amazing camera work and a score by John Williams (of 'Jurassic Park', 'Star Wars' and 'Jaws' fame), the film quite rightly is referred to as a "cinematic masterpiece that has become one of the most honoured films of all time", on the DVD cover.

"the film quite rightly is referred to as a

"cinematic masterpiece that has become

one of the most honoured films of all time"

The film is particularly interesting in itself. The director, Steven Spielberg shot the film almost entirely in black and white, with the exception of a young girl in a red coat. This was rather clever, I thought, as it made her stand out in amongst all the black and white, and in amongst all the death and dying. This makes it more personal for the viewer who has an innocent little girl to hold hope for. This hope is lost later in the film when her dead body reappears. However, by putting her in colour, Spielberg has made her a symbol for all those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Because as we know, it is quite easy to find yourself thinking more in terms of numbers and statistics rather than actual individuals who lost their lives.

This concept was also brought home for me at the end of the film. Schindler is shown to break down at the conclusion of the war, when he realises he still possesses material wealth that could have been used to save more lives,

Schindler: 'This car. Goeth would have bought this car. Why did I keep the car?
Ten people right there. Ten people. Ten more people.'

[removing Nazi pin from lapel]

'This pin. Two people. This is gold. Two more people. He would have given me two for it, at least one. One more person. A person, Stern. For this.'

[sobbing]

'I could have gotten one more person... and I didn't! And I... I didn't!'

Again, this scene reiterates the importance of individual lives, rather than depersonalising the issue by focusing on the millions as a whole. This scene, and in fact this movie, reminded me of Stalin's quote, "the death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic." And we see that Spielberg tries to bring the focus back to the tragedy.

Schindler's List was a particularly personal venture into the Holocaust. For me, this film put a face to the "statistic" that Stalin speaks of. It got my brain going, and made me question how perhaps, in this modern world we live in today we have become desensitised to death and dying.


Get a feel for this unique piece by viewing the trailer...

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The recently released, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is the next movie on my list for this series. Like with most movies, I decided to go watch this Mark Herman directed piece after viewing the trailer (watch here). However, the ending I was faced with was nothing like what I had expected. Perhaps naively I thought it would be the sort of movie that would have its share of darkness, but still find its way to a positive ending. And perhaps this thought was influenced by the knowledge that this was an adaption of a children's novel (of the same name) by John Boyne. Or perhaps I should have just read Paul Byrnes review in the Sydney Morning Herald when he let everyone else know that, "the film is terribly confronting" (read the full review). Unfortunately or fortunately however (depending on what you wanted from this film), the story starts of relatively positively and delves further and further into the darkness of the Holocaust, and never finds its way out.

"...the ending I was faced with was nothing like what I had expected."

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is the story of childhood innocence within the harsh environment of a death camp in the Third Reich. Bruno is a young boy forced to move when his Nazi father takes a job in the country as a commander of the 'farm' (as Bruno interprets it). Bruno defies his parents' orders to stay away from the 'farm' and meets a young boy called Shmuel through the electric fence surrounding the camp. The boys forge a secret relationship, talking and playing through the fence, unknowing as to why they are being kept apart.

The movie theatre I was in remained silent until the end of the closing credits when i went to see this film. And, from what I can tell from IMDb user comments, we weren't the only screening to experience this. It was reassuring to know I wasn't the only one shocked by this film. Without ruining the movie for you (though if you delve too far into any user comments online someone else will), the utter tragic nature of the ending will just leave you speechless.

"It was reassuring to know I wasn't the only one shocked by this film."

Through excellent cinematography and scenery, quality acting, and a particularly dramatic score, this film evokes an array of emotions. I believe it was made to make you feel something. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas made me really think about and question human behaviour, and contemplate the evil that has been committed in this world. The way the audience sees through Bruno's perspective accentuates the horror of Nazi atrocities, as we watch a child try to understand something dark and disturbing that is out of comprehension.

The way this story and Herman's screenplay delves into childhood innocence and morality will tug at the heart strings of most viewers.

CRASH

Well, what better way to begin this series than with the film that inspired it! Admittedly, despite its 2004 release date, I only got around to seeing CRASH last month...

I'd been putting it off for weeks since my sister had recommended it. And as well as the seemingly over-dramatic stills featured on the case, the 'ensemble cast' was giving me good reason to leave it at the back of the cupboard forever. I must admit a cast list that includes Sandra Bullock ('Miss Congeniality'), Matt Dillon ('There's Something About Mary'), Brendan Fraser ('The Mummy', 'George Of The Jungle') and rapper Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges wouldn't normally entice me when the film is supposed to be a drama. However, I had to keep in mind that this film had won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture in 2005 - and for good reason.

CRASH delves into the racism that supposedly runs rife in L.A. and the impact it has on its citizens. In a similar fashion to the 2003 romantic comedy film, 'Love Actually', CRASH shows how 13 people of different racial backgrounds impact and collide with each other. As the back of the case explains, "...CRASH boldly reminds us of the importance of tolerance".

I found this movie incredibly moving. I was interested and in suspense the whole way through. The critic from Screen Daily put my feelings about this film into words when they said, "The film's most powerful moments are so realistic that they're almost excruciating..." I cried at four different points in this movie, and at other points I found myself looking away out of shame, as I knew what was going to happen and it felt particularly real for me.

The sentiment I was left with after the conclusion of this film was haunting. I have thought back to the reality of that film's meaning quite frequently since watching it, and have found my eyes opened to the issues that the movie explored. I appreciate the intricate nature of the storyline, which the more I consider, the more I realise how clever it really is.


"The sentiment I was left with after the conclusion of this film was haunting."


Now perhaps I was just particularly susceptible to clever storylines or serious meanings when I watched CRASH that fateful day, but even still I recommend you explore it and see what it means for you. At the very least, you can watch it for the ensemble cast.

"When moving at the speed of life, we are bound to collide with each other."

Movies To Make You Think...

When discussing the topic for this series to friends I was instantly hit with criticism, "...surely all movies make you think, Lauren?" Which, for the most part, I guess is true. However I think all avid film viewers (and even the not so avid film viewers) will have seen a film or two that affects them on a deeper, more meaningful level than just any old comedy or rom-com. And, despite my boyfriend's opinion to the contrary, I'm sure I am not alone in thinking these are the very best kind.

Whilst often some of these films leave me feeling too depressed to even cry, the knowledge that the film has actually moved me and made me feel something is far better than the alternative of sitting through a meaningless, immature comedy on sex and college (or whatever the stereotype teenage comedy is...). I find leaving a cinema knowing that the director may have had intentions other than just getting my money, makes it actually worth the fortunes I payed to see it ($12 plus refreshments at Dendy or $5.95 when renting on DVD!).

Hopefully this blog will be an insight into somewhat recent films that will leave you pondering their true meanings and implications, long after the closing credits have finished. And if not, will, with any luck, keep you somewhat entertained regardless.

Please feel free to leave comments and let me know what you thought of the films. Also, if you have any of your own 'Movies to make you think' let me know! Happy movie-watching!