Review of In Darkness (2011) by Jared F — 25 Jan 2013

We've seen many Holocaust films that seem to focus on the tragedy which is where In Darkness standouts. It doesn't remind us again that the Holocaust is bad and the Nazi was plain evil, but instead explores the human complexity from the point of view of those who suffered and those courageous to lend an helping hand.

In Darkness is a dramatization of one man's rescue of Jewish refugees in the Nazi-occupied Polish city of Lvov. The Holocaust and the war taking place during the 1940s is merely in the background. It's more about the actual people here than actual tragedy. We get human characters and witness what the Jews had to go through during this time. Whereas other films would merely showcase Nazi killing Jews for us to sympathies with the victims this film chooses to ignore the violence. This makes the film stronger because you're not be focus on hating the Nazi for what the mass killing, but rather focus on the people who had to endure terrible living conditions (in a sewer for several years I might add) in order to live. The film contains fleshed out characters that make the whole experience inspiring. Even in the darkest of time and worst of conditions these people were still able to maintain their hope. The cast is excellent and the cinematography is very good. Though I could have done without the unnecessary eroticism.

In Darkness is different of Holocaust movie that focuses on people rather than a broad over view of the tragedy. If you want a film that shows the human side of the tragedy you can't go wrong with In Darkness.