Claiming to be inspired by true events, the story of a young Jewish man who stays alive by pretending to be half-Iranian strains credibility
Here’s a superbly acted, though worryingly polite, Holocaust survival drama by the Ukrainian film-maker Vadim Perelman. It’s the story of a Jewish man from Belgium called Gilles (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), who stays alive in a transit camp by pretending to be half-Iranian and teaching Farsi to a savage-tempered SS officer, Klaus Koch (Lars Eidinger). In truth, Gilles doesn’t know a word of Farsi; the language he makes up is gibberish, and he lives in constant terror of slipping up, forgetting one of the words he’s invented – almost 600 in six months.
The film opens with the line “inspired by true events”, but given the plausibility issues here surely it is safe to prefix that claim with “very loosely”. The setting is France, 1942; Gilles,...
Here’s a superbly acted, though worryingly polite, Holocaust survival drama by the Ukrainian film-maker Vadim Perelman. It’s the story of a Jewish man from Belgium called Gilles (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), who stays alive in a transit camp by pretending to be half-Iranian and teaching Farsi to a savage-tempered SS officer, Klaus Koch (Lars Eidinger). In truth, Gilles doesn’t know a word of Farsi; the language he makes up is gibberish, and he lives in constant terror of slipping up, forgetting one of the words he’s invented – almost 600 in six months.
The film opens with the line “inspired by true events”, but given the plausibility issues here surely it is safe to prefix that claim with “very loosely”. The setting is France, 1942; Gilles,...
- 1/19/2021
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
Similar News
Matthias Glasner’s family drama ’Dying’ leads the nominees for German Film Awards
- 3/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
German Film Awards Nominees Unveiled
- 3/19/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Noah Baumbach sets starry cast for Netflix movie
- 3/15/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Netflix’s ‘Finding Ola’ Star Yasmina El-Abd Signs With Artist International Group
- 12/18/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Vadim Perelman To Direct Korean War Epic ‘Marinus’ For Bee Holder Productions
- 10/23/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Persian Lessons’ Review: Moral Dilemmas Become Dangerous Games in Holocaust Melodrama
- 6/9/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Film Review: Sleep With Your Eyes Open (2024) by Nele Wohlatz
- 2/21/2024
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Berlinale Review: Sleep with Your Eyes Open Vividly Captures the Migrant Condition
- 2/19/2024
- by Leonardo Goi
- The Film Stage
Asia Argento and Melvil Poupaud Star in ‘Stronger Than the Devil’ for All Rights Entertainment (Exclusive)
- 2/16/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.