La Rafle

This movie has all I want in a film, it is informing and holds the attention. I am a great admirer of Jean Reno and he comes over here as good as ever. The acting in general was excellent and the child actors were superb with such a difficult storyline. The music fitted well to the story and allowed the feel of the movie to shine through. In all a great film which stirs the blood and makes one feel ashamed to be human. It is important to remember what happened and why we should never let it happen again, however it seems that it happens now and we do nothing about it. Long live the French film school, with a tear in my eye I end this review and think again of the many who died without a cause.

On 06 June 1942, the government of Vichy makes a deal with the Nazis and delivers thousands of Jewish families to be sent to the concentration Camp of Beaune-La-Rolande, Loiret and then to the crematories.

"La Rafle" is another touching and heartbreaking film that shows the fate of some Jewish families that are removed by force from their homes to the final destination of a crematory. The cruelty of the fate of the Jewish in occupied Europe in the 40's is composed of millions of tragic stories; therefore films about this theme are always extremely sad and usually well-produced, shaking with the emotions of any sensitive viewer.

This new approach of the Holocaust, based on what happened in France under the complacence of the French politicians and authorities, is very sad since it shows the destiny of thousand of children that are first separated from their mothers and then send to death. It is cruel but never comparable to the "Sophia's Choice", for me the most depressive film about mother and children relationship ever made. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Amor e Ódio" ("Love and Hate")

I would characterize this movie as a French Schindler's List. it corrects the record on a disgraceful series of events that took place in occupied France in 1942, leading to the murder of13,000 Jews. It is well balanced, interesting, but also highly emotional. The acting is superb, as is the direction and cinematography. In particular, the child actors did a wonderful job. People could be heard crying in the theater throughout the film.

I had some problems with the ending, but won't go further as I do not want to reveal too much.

I recommend this movie.

Once in a while, pictures like this one make you understand and see things you don't want or did not want to see : here's a example of why cinema is so important. A forgotten drama in France 1942 that you can read in books of history but not actually see. Like the Schindler's list, La Rafle is a touching art of work and the fact that the kids are taking a big place in the movie give the all thing a unforgettable moment of emotions... and cinema. Cannot say more : you have to watch this movie to be sure you have the right image of what what France was in that period of time. Especially because the director show that french people, unlike their police, behave in a very human way (helping families and children). Great movie !

The theme is far to be new. In strange way, this is its basic virtue. Because, starting from an event of the year 1943 , in Paris, it gives , in brilliant manner, the portrait of a profound tragedy, in right and precise manner. It represents one of most inspired films about Shoah. For performances of children, for the cinematography, for the script who gives different angles of tragedy, for the feeling of viewer to remind the weakness of human nature. A great film. Useful in deep sense. For remind. And for define the essence of the way to discover the other as only object.