Persian Lessons

Vadim Perelman | Russian Federation/Germany/Belarus, 2019 | French, German (English subtitles) | Drama | 127m | 2K DCP | IMDB | Distributor/Sales: Cohen Media Group | Festival marketing sample: Berlinale 2020 | Trailer

Description: France, 1942. On board of a truck full of prisoners driven to a forest to be shot, a young Belgian Jew trades his sandwich for a first edition Farsi book. Using this as evidence that he is actually Persian, he is spared execution and brought to a camp officer who wants to be taught Farsi. Thus begin his adventures…

Merits: I have not found any evidence that the incidents related here actually happened or that the even any of the characters portrayed actually existed despite the film’s claim that it is ‘inspired by real events.’ Nevertheless, it remains a powerful, moving and nail bitingly riveting throughout. While a few lightly comic moments temper the ordeals we witness, here they are used judiciously (unlike in, arguably, Jojo Rabbit or Life is Beautiful.) Nahuel Peréz Biscayart leads a cast that delivers some fantastic performances. Unlike most films of this genre, it includes nuanced portrayals of the interactions between the concentration camp staff. In light of recent prosecutions of lower level Nazi guards, this may encourage viewers to reconsider how complicit such individuals were.

Rating: Scenes of extreme graphic violence. Strong language.

Programming considerations: Should be considered for a ‘Gala’ presentation.