Hankster
So we will never forget.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/09/23
Full Review
Judy B
Gripping, compelling, amazing performances from all involved. Lars Eidinger has got to be one of my favorite foreign actors. "Reza", played by Nahuel Perez Biscayart, was terrific as well. We wouldn't get up from the couch to even refill our wine glasses because we didn't want to miss a
second of this. Don't want to give too much away, but suffice it to say that of all the WWII movies I've seen, this was different, suspenseful, and very moving.
If you haven't see the amazing Lars Eidinger, check out his performances in "All the Light We Cannot See" and the "Sunflower" episode of "Foyle's War."
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/18/24
Full Review
Laura S
The comeuppance by the end is all bittersweet, hilarious and deserved. The dynamic between the holocaust captive and the nazi captor becomes more intriguingly complicated the more they get to know each other. Too bad the side characters are left underdeveloped, the B and C plots would have been more interesting had they delved deeper into the characterisations.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/03/24
Full Review
David H
I enjoy an occasional Holocaust-era film, but the genre does seem to be about done to death now after all these decades. Nevertheless, this was a unique Holocaust story, and it was interesting to watch a language being created out of whole cloth as the main character struggled to create a pathway to his own survival in the face of almost insurmountable odds.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
08/16/23
Full Review
Gordon G
I don't usually like films with this tragic setting and it is very far-fetched to say the least.
However, the story drags you in and there are some clever twists.
Worth watching and lingers in the mind.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
07/10/23
Full Review
Chris J
MOVIE REVIEW
Persian Lessons (Persischstunden)
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Genre: Drama, War
Year Released: 2020, 2023 Kino Lorber/Cohen Media Blu-ray
Runtime: 2h 7m
Director(s): Vadim Perelman
Writer(s): Ilja Zofin, Wolfgang Kohlhaase
Cast: Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Lars Eidinger, Jonas Nay, David Schütter, Alexander Beyer,
Andreas Hofer, Leonie Benesch
Language: German, English, French, Italian, Farsi with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available July 18, 2023; pre-order here https://kinolorber.com/product/persian-lessons-1, or https://amzn.to/46zT2s1
RAVING REVIEW: Picture this: it's 1942, we're within the confines of a German concentration camp, and our protagonist Gilles, brought to life by Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, turns a grim wartime narrative into an intricate game of linguistic survival in PERSIAN LESSONS. Our introduction to Gilles sees him amidst a massacre, swapping a sandwich for a Farsi book. His newfound "Persian" identity stands unchallenged, leaving the SS guards none wiser.
Gilles, a French Jew, slyly rebrands himself as a Persian linguist, his survival dependent on his ability to spin a whole language out of thin air. He embarks on a dangerous charade and teaches fabricated Persian to Koch, the Camp Commandant, a role played with finesse by Lars Eidinger. The onscreen dynamics shift uneasily as guards and prisoners attempt to decipher this odd union.
Director Vadim Perelman uses the grim setting to craft a suspense-laden tale of survival, deception, and the sheer grit of human resilience. We follow Gilles as he concocts increasingly believable "Persian" language lessons, though Perelman's methodical approach might not be everyone's cup of tea.
PERSIAN LESSONS isn't your standard war narrative. As Gilles' makeshift Persian takes root, he earns a unique standing among his fellow prisoners, creating a peculiar balance in the camp. His fabricated language is his golden ticket into camp society, establishing a brittle bond with Koch. The Persian and camaraderie are counterfeit, and the danger of this house of cards looms over Gilles.
Sure, the film carries its fair share of clichés and predictable plotlines. Yet, PERSIAN LESSONS' unique exploration of language as a survival tool sets it apart. Gilles' daring deception highlights the strength of human imagination, even in the face of adversity.
That said, Gilles' survival tactic is a double-edged sword. It paints a target on his back, making him susceptible to suspicion from camp management and fellow prisoners. Nonetheless, Gilles' ingenious navigation of this tight situation brings a distinctive flair to the film. Gilles' tale is an engaging narrative of constructing a new identity through an invented language to survive against all odds.
This film takes you on a thought-provoking journey through a man's desperate battle for survival. While it may not fully realize its thematic potential, it offers a compelling glimpse into the extraordinary power of language and the tenacity of the human spirit under adversity. It's a tale of sheer determination and survival against unimaginable odds, offering a deep dive into human vulnerability.
PERSIAN LESSONS beautifully illustrates the bittersweet paradox of survival within a grim setting – a survival balanced on the tightrope of a believable lie under the constant threat of exposure. Despite a few hiccups along the way, this film manages to engage, entertain, and provoke thought – all in one sitting. So, if you're ready to break away from the ordinary, PERSIAN LESSONS is a must-see movie!
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Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
07/06/23
Full Review
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