To any enthusiasts of World War Two films this movie's focus is on the post war effects on Germany, especially in relation to children.
This is the story of Lore and her four other siblings. Who are traveling to there Grandmother's house hoping for refuge while there Mother and Father enter prison. Lore must then carry her Baby brother Peter while she watches over her sister and other two brothers who have a knack for running off in unfamiliar territory. This is how Lore first meets Thomas, a man who is posing as a Jew. Now, Lore's younger siblings are unaware of Lore's animosity towards him, but sense her unease around him. Since he is a rather stone cold character who more then once attempts to touch Lore. Although when she solicits an invitation he is repulsed and refuses. What is curious is how much she hates him, but once he tries to leave she has become so dependent on his charity that she convinces him to stay. Its not until her brother steals his wallet and his papers that he is forced to flee. Leaving Lore to her own devices. Her brother then shows her the papers and she is consumed by a frustration at learning that he had never told her the truth, after she had told him to stop lying since she saw them all. Except for his identity.
What I found most interesting story wise was the moments which focused on Lore's relationship to the other characters. To see her struggle with caring for a newborn baby where she has to find a nursing woman and pay her to feed him. Then the constant panic of losing Gunter, when they were in an abandoned town riddled with Russian or American military.
Personally I had expected a much different story then what I saw and it wasn't riveting, but still interesting and though
provoking. What was superb though was the cinematography and acting. Most of the dialogue between characters was told through hand gestures and scowls, which still got the point across about the mood of the situation. Especially from the main two actors who created this silent chemistry that just transformed throughout the entire film. Which I have to hand it to the cinematographers who created this delicate, but bold style. Since there was this deep blue tinge added to the entire film that added this very sullen sensation. The locations where everything was shot was phenomenal and gorgeous. From the bombed village that wreaked of tar and disease, to the meadows and rivers that radiated an underlying threat which was masked in a cheery atmosphere. Also the scene where the burnt pictures of Hitler were falling from the sky in the deep misty forest was breath taking. Might I also add the attention spent on the details was immaculate. Lore's lips appeared so chapped that they looked like an open scab. Plus her hair styles showed her progression from child to forced adulthood, then reborn to finally a true adult. I also enjoyed how each time we were shown a dead body it became more mutilated and rotten.
All in all this film is an excellent example for how distraught Germany was after WW2 especially for children. Its beautiful to look at and pays so much attention to detail, that it is still intriguing even with a slightly understated story line.
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