Posted in: Yemen Observer
Written By: Observer staff
Article Date: Mar 28, 2009
The recently released film ‘The Reader’, staring Kate Winslet, David Kross and Ralph Fiennes. Based on the book, Der Vorleser, by Bernhard Schlink, the story is a passionate portrayal of the difficulties faced by subsequent generations in their comprehension of the Holocaust; specifically, whether a sense of its origins and magnitude can be adequately conveyed solely through written and oral media.
The story starts in German in 1958, when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped by Hanna Schmits, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her.
The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to, and Hanna is enthralled when Michael reads to her from “The Odyssey,” “Huck Finn” and “The Lady with the Little Dog.” Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day, leaving Michael confused and heartbroken.
Eight years later in 1966, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials of six former S.S female guards from Auschwitz, he recognizes one of the women on trial as Hanna. Whilst listening to the testimony, Michael soon comes to the realization that he is in possession of information which could save Hanna from a life in prison, information which she herself is unwilling to disclose.
In deciding what to do, Michael tells his professor that he knows information that could actually help Hanna’s case. The professor only tells Michael that he has an obligation to come forth and disclose the evidence, which is the truth, but Michael is too scared to do it, or perhaps he is too angry at Hanna for leaving him, and making him miserable even after all these years. Michael keeps quiet and on the day of sentencing, Michael holds back his tears as he sees Hanna walked to the stand. The court sentences five of the guards to four years imprisonment for being party to the deaths of 300 prisoners, and Hanna receives a life sentence.
After many years, Michael is alone and unable to sleep. One night, he begins to unpack some boxes from his youth and he sees all the books that he had kept, including the ones that he used to read to Hanna. He digs out his voice recorder and begins to read the books and record them onto tapes to send to Hanna in the hope of alleviating some of the guilt he still feels.
Hanna receives the package in prison and cries when she hears Michaels voice on the tape. The tapes bring Hanna back to life, and she begins to look forward to the tapes Michaels sends her each week.
Although all the actors played their roles exceptionally well, Kate Winslet must be singled out for her unbelievable talent, most notably in the second half of the movie, which undoubtedly won her the Academy Awards for Best Actress 2008.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق