Review of Son of Saul (2015) by Maksim B — 21 Oct 2016

A gut-wrenching, emotionally draining and totally unforgettable cinematographic experience, Son of Saul is an overwhelming and disturbing piece of art which will make you feel extremely uncomfortable and appalled by the Holocaust. Technically flawless, brilliantly acted and above all painfully touching, Laszlo Nemes' movie is a delivery that will be studied in movie classes in the future.

The first and most important thing is that one should have no idea on the story and what is it about. The fact that it concerns a group of prisoners in a concentration camp is just enough to start watching the movie and to slowly get fully consumed by it. In order not to spoil the experience, nothing in terms of content will be described in this review. On the other side, a whole thesis could be written on the quality of film-making showed by director Laszlo Nemes. Restrained, and yet shockingly graphic and brutal, Son of Saul is a delivery that will keep you glued to the screen. Huge amount of the impact on the audience is also achieved by the technical qualities of the movie. The camera-work is shaky and still always in control, the settings are quite horrifying and among this atmosphere there is a group of unknown actors who deliver brilliant performances.

Much could be said about this movie, but the truth is that everyone will experience it in its own way. Son of Saul is certainly not an entertainment. It is a cinematographic experience depicting a part of the human history which will appal you and deeply unsettle you. It will shock and you will remember the atmosphere of the movie, its actors and some scene long after you have seen the movie. A must see delivery for every self-respecting movie-fan and a most deserved Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film.