Josef And Marie From The Nazis example essay topic

'Divided We Fall,' a Czech movie about hard decisions and loyalty, not to one's country, but to yourself, is very well by director Jan Hrebejk. This movie, considered a black comedy, is more than just a true story being told; it shows how hard it was for one family to conceal a Jewish person in their home. Conger Kassai's character, David, escaped prison in Poland and returned to Czechoslovakia where he thought that someone could help him. He is taken in by his former employee (Bole k Polivka, who plays Josef), who is reluctant at first, but spends the next two years lying in order to save David, himself, and his wife, Marie (Anna Sisko va). Throughout the film, there are many close calls.

The worst one is that Marie told Horst (a worker for the Nazis, who always comes over uninvited) that she is pregnant (in order to save David), although everyone knows the couple want children, but have never had any. Although you think that the couple have the hardest part of keeping David a secret, it's hard for David, especially at the end where he has to show his face in order to save the people who have concealed him. The setting of the house where Josef and Marie lived was a very good example of what most non-Jewish people would live in. It was small, but cosy just enough for two people.

It also included a pantry which was turned into a shelter for David. Not many shots were taken out of the house and that ones that were taken of the street told the audience a lot, especially during the resistance. That scene showed people blowing up houses where collaborators lived, breaking glass windows, and running around the street chaotic. The cinematic techniques added much emotion to the story created on screen. Everytime there was a very important section or Nazis knocking on Josef's door, the cameras seemed to be slowing down just a little bit, as if to tell the audience 'Okay, now it's the time to pay attention.

' Throughout the film, Hrebejk knew where to put the cameras in order to get the best take of a scene, which enhanced the view of watching the movie and added suspense to it. The music suited the movie very nicely. By the type of music playing, you could determine what sort of scene was coming up, either fast and light hearted music for comedy, and sad depressing music for drama. It felt like there was no music, but this writer knows that without it, the movie would not be the same.

In the 1940's, the costumes were well suited for each character. Marie always had on a very light, cotton dress wt ih a light cardigan; Josef wore dark pants, a buttoned shirt and tie, and either a tattered suit jacket or a cardigan; and David always wore an orangy turtleneck and dark pants, since they couldn't buy him new clothes. The costumes really helped a lot describing the atmosphere of the movie. The atmosphere did not strike me as black comedy but as a powerful depiction of the truth, the hardship of doing the right thing, and staying a friend to someone in need, though you may be risking your own life. There were four main characters throughout the movie, and all of them were very convincing. David was convincing of a sullen, Jewish man, just from a concentration c Josef was convincing of a man who was struggling with his conscience; Marie as the wife who was obedient and also someone who could stand up to people when she needed to; and finally Horst, who was very convincing of a man belonging to society, and trying to fit in and not get into trouble.

Horst was also a man who knew when to forget all his beliefs and just do what was right. The acting was fabulous for all characters. I feel the best job was done by Jaroslav Dusk (Horst), who wanted to keep on the Nazi's good side but also knew what was right about keeping David a secret and not telling the truth at the end when Josef saved him by mentioning he was a doctor. The scene where Marie was sick and David was hiding underneath her covers while Horst, Josef and their employer were outside the room, drinking was one of the funniest yet also, one of the scariest moments for the characters.

Josef realizes that David is under the covers and tries to pull Horst away from kissing Marie's hand (really David's) by singing a German song and drinking some more. It was also nice to know that Josef didn't question Marie about having David in the bed with her. He trusted her like she trusted him. It was well performed and very believable by the actors. Human dignity played a huge role in this movie.

Josef knew who he was, but changed to become a collaborator in order to raise no suspicions about David. Marie, who was obedient, also stood up for herself when Horst was ready to rape her. Horst played the biggest part here. He felt his dignity lied with the Nazis and how he was viewed as part of the favored society during the war. It was not until later on did he realize that being part of society didn't always mean being good. In one scene where the Nazis were checking houses, Horst went down to greet them instead of Josef and claimed that it was his home, in order to save Josef and Marie from the Nazis searching their house.

In that part, he did what was right. The perpetrators in the film would have been the Nazis who persecuted any family who had a Jew hiding with them. The victim was, of course, David. The collaborator was mainly Horst, but at time, Josef, when he really need to be. The recurs were Josef and Marie, and at some times, Horst too. Some could say that, in order to save Josef, Marie and Horst, David was the rescuer.

Simacek (played by Jiri Pacha 0 would be also considered a rescuer since he never told the truth about Horst not being a real doctor. There seemed to be no bystanders in this film. The name of the film, 'Divided We Fall,' is only part of the phrase that was used throughout the whole film. 'United we stand, divided we fall' was the quote used mostly by Horst when he wanted to uplift Josef's feelings.

It seemed easy to stand united but when trouble occurs, divided is what most people will be. The film showed, especially at the end, that people could be united even through tough times and even though they feel like going against their conscience.