Friendship Beyond Fence of Death

Rating: 8/10 (10 April 2011)

Dark pages of history have been analyzed by many historians; hidden intentions saw the daylight; statistics shocked people but soon they all have been forgotten within the dust of history. In the face of war, humanity gradually becomes mute to the cry for justice and indifferent to individual tragedies. Later, "Be reminded and remember" occurs more a slogan than a heartfelt message. However, what are we without emotions? What are we without the ability to be moved by the smallest ones? Do children have their word within the monstrous might of war and divisions where merely 'history is in the making?'
Before seeing this powerful and touching movie, a viewer must make friends with nothing like facts, historical chronology, thrilling atmosphere but with the word 'EMOTIONAL' - a human feature that reaches the climax here in spite of the fact that all the background story seems to prove otherwise. These emotions are as if brought out from the grave of times, the grave of history, they make you understand, they make you feel, they make you a human viewer not a machine-like consumer who only waits for effects and ego-centric pleasure. Why so many emotions?
Because it is a story of two children within the harsh reality where division crawls its way of destruction. Two boys, Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), are so similar to each other, they have similar interests, they like similar games; yet, they are forced to be made separated, unequal and distant by the monstrous ideology that governed the Third Reich during WWII. As a young German boy, Bruno would probably grow to the man his Nazi-blinded father wanted him to be: proud, vainly indefatigable, powerfully treading on dead corpses...yet, he has a wonderful gift: the ability to explore the world around. He looks for petals of flower on earth, something genuine, creative, overwhelming, something that makes life brighter: friendship. Yes, he looks for it and finds it in the most unpredictable circumstances. By making friends with the boy in striped pyjamas, he knows no 'borders' no divisions. While Shmuel appears to be shy and shocked at the beginning, Bruno experiences a unique journey, the journey of exploring innocence, affection, inner freedom and sacrifice. And he shares this gift with his timid friend. This friendship changes them within, makes them grown up within themselves but it also makes Bruno alienated among some members of his own family. Ironically and dangerously, Bruno proves something that has always been impossible for his own professor and tutor: he becomes the best explorer in the world because he finds a nice Jew...Where will this exploration lead him? to failure, to bad coincidence, irony of fate or somewhere beyond the fence of death...to the victory of a little yet divine friendship?
Except for the wonderful plot of the boys who provide us with the most touching and memorable scenes, the film nicely executes the situation of the family and divisions within the family. In 1939, they are forced to leave the dreamlike Berlin for a country where Ralph, the father (David Thewlis), has a new duty to fulfill for his nation...this is the strange place where 'farmers wear pajamas.' Kids grow in a new reality and new challenges occur. The father, being blinded by the ideology imposed in the Germany of those years, remains to parrot the widespread propaganda until the very moment it touches negatively his own family and, consequently, his own life. His daughter, Gretel (Amber Beattie), absorbs the machine-like visions of life and upper class starting to cherish the ideals of Hitler and his 'mighty army of Hakenkreuz.' But not all the members of the family are blind and fanatical.
Except for Bruno who 'explores' rather than 'knows' open minded characters are the Grandmother and Mother Elsa (Vera Farmiga). The Grandma (Sheila Hancock) clearly disapproves with the Nazi attitude of her son and, when she dies, her daughter-in-law, Elsa, remains loyal to her and rejects any Nazi honors at the funeral. She suffers most because she has a clear concept of justice, she realizes the wickedness that corrupts her country, even her own family, yet, these struggles and views occur to be considered as nothing more than sheer 'female weaknesses.' Yet, these characters manifest a positive side of the nation which, though shaken by monstrosity, did not lose its true spirit, the real greatness. Ms Farmiga is given some of the catharsis scenes in the movie, including her 'thank you' said to Pavel, a Jewish servant, an ex-doctor who has dared cure Bruno's leg.
However, it is important to state that not many words will help before seeing this profound film...
Artistic merit... I think these are the performances. All the cast portray the characters in a captivating manner. They stay in our memories. I was particularly touched by Asa Butterfield who does an excellent job as a young boy, he gives so much emotionality and so much vitality to his performance.
Moral merit...is the greatest...for all viewers, esp. the young ones. This is our moral imperative to reflect upon... what worlds we make for ourselves...built upon bridges or fences...one is the civilization of love, the other is the horror of destruction...the choice is ours, yours and mine. All who carry weapons of death in their hands should see this film and stop for a while, stop before A CHILD! (reference to John Paul II's words)
And the rest...except for striped pyjamas and smoke...what remains are silence and tears...yet, I do not advise you to prepare many handkerchiefs. This movie is not just a tearjerker...it's an inner cry. I wish you reflections and I wish you experience... 8/10