blhubner

I have seen this movie on DVD at home. There are a lot of positive things to say about this movie to begin with. The premise of a lonely gas station, where a son sees his father again, is a great starting point for any story. Although the film was actually shot in Hungary, it feels more like New Mexico or Arizona, there is a western-like atmosphere and lawlessness is in the air. The characters that pass by develop well and you get to know them so well that they become like family to you. Negative traits prevail, but in between you also develop a degree of sympathy for most individuals. However, that's where my criticisms begin. Indeed, def ilm as a whole is rather boring. Developments take forever, the setting is rather static and essentially the characters are not necessarily the most appealing. I don't feel like I've been watching a bad film, but rather a film with some shortcomings. With a little more pace, a little more variety and a few changes to the script, it could have been a potential cinematic monument. As it stands, it is merely an impetus to it and a viewing experience that, while not easily forgotten, is on balance unsatisfactory.

The story of Nesjoma is admittedly fictional, but it paints a realistic picture of Jewish life in Amsterdam between the two world wars. A narrator writes personal letters from her perspective to her brother, who has gone to the Dutch East Indies. The story is presented as read-aloud letters, and while this may not seem like an appealing modern filmmaking approach, the constant accompaniment of relevant historical archival footage is so captivating that the viewer's attention never wanes. It is fascinating to see old images of Amsterdam-some places I recognize, while others are gone forever. The result is a successful film that is also educationally powerful. It is personal, moving, and builds toward the tragic climax of the Holocaust-not in a sensational way, but as if it could happen to you. It is commendable and remarkable that this film was made in 2025, as I am shocked to find that knowledge about the Holocaust among young people is either absent or incorrect. This film proves that the core of the Holocaust is that completely ordinary people, with normal ambitions and personal traits, were innocently caught in the murderous machinery of the regime, regardless of who they were or what they thought, solely based on their heritage. It would be good to show this film to as many people as possible, especially young people, to improve knowledge about this important topic. I believe the film is engaging enough for non-Amsterdammers and non-Jews as well. There are no false sentiments; it all feels as if it could have happened as told and shown. The only downside to this film is the sound balance. The accompanying music, though beautiful, is so loud that the narrator's voice is sometimes not fully audible. Other than that, nothing but praise for this remarkable film.