We frequently hear of guerrilla warfare but don't often associate it with northern Europe in the 20th century. This "enhanced" documentary chronicles Lithuania's struggle against Soviet occupation following World War II, while at the same time developing a human story line around the real-life love of a partisan fighter and his new wife. Will he stay with her in Paris or will he cross back through the Iron Curtain to resume his struggle for his country's freedom. Real-life Casablanca! The unscripted and candid discussions between the now elderly partisans who were betrayed and sent to Siberia and the neighbors who sold them out to the Communists are palpable in their drama and tension. What isn't said speaks as loudly as the words actually expressed. A terrific movie.
5 Reviews
Incredibly sad....
planktonrules12 August 2015
This documentary is about the pretty much unknown resistance movement in the Baltic republic and the guerrilla war they waged with the Soviets after they were taken over by the Soviets after WWII. While many in the West know that these countries and others were taken over by the Russian army, nothing is ever said about the folks who took to the woods and took up arms against their oppressors. Eventually, this movement was pretty much wiped out and survivors today agreed to be interviewed for the film--including many folks from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. In addition, a lot of archival footage and photos are used to construct this very sad and fruitless struggle. Worth seeing, though not surprisingly it's very downbeat and so many brave folks died in this struggle for freedom.
Touching Documentary of the Lithuanian Resistance
dansandini1 May 2015
9 out of 10. Much more than the story of the underground resistance in Lithuania: this is a love story. It's the story of one man, Luksa, who never gave up his love for one woman, nor his quest to liberate his country from the tyrannical boot of the Soviet Union. Ohman captures something here. In interviews of palpable candor, coupled with top notch cinematography and a heart touching score, he conveys the barest essence of man's true yearning to be free. This was a story I had never heard of. How is it that it's not being told in American history classes. How sad and tragic that alternatively Communism is being taught in Universities all across America. Not to be missed. Streams on Netflix.
Eye Opening
lapc-158-1456513 November 2014
This movie was amazingly worthwhile. Previously I had no real information about the Lithuanian resistance and this film was an incredible insight into this piece of history. In addition to being informative this documentary did an exceptional job of developing the characters involved and allowing the audience to connect on a very tangible level. One of my favorite parts of the film were the moments that allowed the viewers to take a moment and reflect on what they had just seen. These beautiful pictures of the Lithuanian landscape not only provided enough time to reflect but also gave the audience the ability to see exactly how beautiful the country is. Love the film and definitely recommend it.
Astounding and moving documentary of the untold brutality of Cold War Europe.
dccbryant-237-45111612 February 2015
Astounding.
The director managed to beautifully pace and balance the incredible human suffering of Lithuania in the face of Soviet aggression with the tender and moving love story of two people dedicated to freedom over everything else.
I'm not Lithuanian and had no idea what it means when one country occupies another. It's truly terrifying.
I can't think of a documentary which is more pertinent to our modern times. Freedom isn't free and the cost of ignoring it needs to be repeatedly constantly.
If you see one documentary this year, make this it.
The director managed to beautifully pace and balance the incredible human suffering of Lithuania in the face of Soviet aggression with the tender and moving love story of two people dedicated to freedom over everything else.
I'm not Lithuanian and had no idea what it means when one country occupies another. It's truly terrifying.
I can't think of a documentary which is more pertinent to our modern times. Freedom isn't free and the cost of ignoring it needs to be repeatedly constantly.
If you see one documentary this year, make this it.
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