Film Review of Run Boy Run
A film by Pepe Danquart
The story of the Holocaust and German terrorism in Europe is one of inhumanity. In Run Boy Run directed by Pepe Danquart, this story, based on true events, is told from the perspective of a young Jewish boy named Srulik, played by Andrzej and Kamil Tkacz. This film is a rare depiction of the horrors outside of the concentration camps during the Holocaust, and Tkacz nails the innocence of a child experiencing it. It succeeds in bringing the audience on the ever-changing, dangerous journey of Srulik while he runs from his Nazi hunters and depicts the inhumanity of the Nazis blatantly. This movie was an effective and moving story, using constant setting changes and the passing of time to allow an empathetic experience to that of Srulik.
Srulik Frydman lived with his family in a Warsaw ghetto until they were forced out, and Srulik escaped thanks to his own father’s sacrifice. He then joins a band of homeless children who are also hiding from the Nazis in the woods. His safety with this group was short-lived when all but Srulik were caught by the Gestapo. This begins his journey from farm to farm and village to village and tries to work for food and survive. He is taught by a separatist woman, Magda, to cross himself and act as if he were Christian and to lie about his origin and name. He is then forced to leave Magda with the threat of discovery by the Gestapo growing closer. Following this, he is taken to a farm by the same officer that had been hunting him down before. Srulik lives there with a sense of safety until his hand is crushed in a work accident. When he is hospitalized, he loses his arm and his Jewish identity is exposed, but he lives at the hospital in peace during recovery. That is, again, short-lived when one of the surgeons turns him into the Gestapo, and they come for him. He escapes with help from one of the patients and begins his journey to the front. Srulik pushes himself to make it to where the Russians have pushed the Germans back, to make sure his safety. He arrives at a village where the Russian soldiers occupy and work for a family there. Srulik experiences safety and complete acceptance for the first time on this journey. When the war ends, he is then tracked down by a Jewish man to bring him back to his community. Srulik goes with him unwillingly to visit his home village, reflect on the loss of his parents, and be placed in an orphanage in Warsaw. This movie leaves the audience with a sense of hope for Srulik while they mourn his losses along with him.
A child’s point of view on the Holocaust is an effective one. The director used a constant rise and fall of hope for Srulik’s situation and survival. It made the outcome unpredictable and allowed the audience to experience the unknown along with the boy. Also, the consistent change in scenery, setting, and season gives the audience the same disorientation that Srulik felt. This film was immersive and put the viewer right next to Srulik as he struggled to survive. What seems to be against all odds, Srulik survives until liberation by the Russians. Yet, this relief is not the final relief in the film. Srulik is moved again after liberation which raises suspicion for his safety again. The residue of his experience of running from people trying to capture him is what raises this suspicion. The director shows accurately how cynical the Nazis were, and how they were willing to use any available resources to catch one child. This film is a glimpse into the historical truth of the Holocaust through a young boy’s eyes.
Srulik and his group running from a farmer after stealing food to survive.
This dark and moving historical film depicts the adversity experienced by those suffering under Nazi rule. The lens of a young boy allows for the audience to be horrified by the indifference and inhumanity of those who oppressed people like Srulik. The immersive nature of this film is complete and is inescapable until the closing credits. Danquart has created a visual depiction of the horrors experienced by Srulik and organized the film so the audience could not look away. This film is a must-watch for the enthralling story of evil, good, and plain survival.
