Irena’s Vow Featured, Reviews Film Threat
CONTACT TORONTO INTERNATIONAL MOVIE 2023 REVIEW! Irena’s Oath is based on the true story of Irena Gut (also known as Irene Gut Opdyke), a Polish woman enlisted to serve a Nazi officer during World War II who saved 12 Jews. Thai by hiding them in the house of a Nazi officer. If this were written like a Hollywood script you would never believe it, but sometimes human boldness, courage and will to survive can exceed our imagination. After the Nazi invasion of Poland, Irena was forced to work in a Nazi weapons factory. After fainting in the presence of a German officer, she was eventually ordered to work at the home of a Nazi officer. During that time, she became friends with many Jewish forced laborers. One day, she learned that all the Jews in the area would be exterminated or deported on a certain date. Having no other choice, Irena hid her Jewish friends in the basement of the very house that the Nazi officer had commandeered. The plan isn’t complicated: some people eventually discover the secret, and Irena and the group have to make difficult choices.
Irena’s story is complex, but she tells her story for the first time in her memoir In My Hands. Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer, later adapted by Dan Gordon into the play, Irena’s Oath. The film was directed by Louise Archambault and Gordon also wrote the script. The film simplifies and streamlines its story a bit, but still has the essential details. This is an extraordinary story, from the sheer act of bravery involved. But it took much more than that charm, guile, planning, strategy, and an incredible command of logistics. Just imagine what it would take just to feed a dozen people in total secrecy for even a few days, much less for more than a year. But those people also need so much more lights, ways to entertain themselves, exercise, and something that passes for a life. Irena’s Vow is absolutely fascinating just from the perspective of hearing this astounding story.
But in addition to its incredible source material, Irena’s Vows also comes in film form. Sophie Nélisse, who plays Irena, is a revelation. She is beautiful, charismatic and completely convincing in the title role. She had to demonstrate courage, faith, empathy, determination, and a host of other heartbreaking emotions, which she did, with great success. Dougray Scott, on the other hand, is a complex and convincing Nazi. Sure, his character does terrible things, but he doesn’t necessarily believe in that cause. There’s a human element there, even if we can hardly see it through all the layers of thrust above. Besides the acting, the production design, costumes, and direction make Irena’s Vows as compelling as a period piece. The only thing that takes away from the authenticity is that all the actors speak English. Even if I prefer a movie with subtitles for its realism, I understand the desire to introduce the movie to as many people as possible. The importance of the story may even require it.
Irena herself did not tell her story for decades, until she was outraged by a Holocaust denier decades later. I’m grateful she did. Writer Dan Gordon and director Louise Archambault deserve much praise for adapting Irena’s story in a thrilling and heartfelt way. You should watch Irena’s Oath, because it’s a gripping, suspenseful film that deals with pure good and evil – which is exactly why it exists. But long after the final image appears in your mind’s eye, you will have a deeper, more comprehensive appreciation of what humans can do best. You can’t put a price on that.