I was going to abandon watching it after the propaganda-style beginning, but I'm glad I continued watching, as all the remaining part of the movie was unexpectedly original and devoid of clichés. The naked bodies and the love / sex scenes are beautifully filmed. The main actor does a terrific job, showing a very wide range of feelings, from ironical debonair nonchalance to despair beyond tears. The entire cast is quite good, the cinematography recreates a believable atmosphere of the years in which the German people were beginning to realise they were going to lose the war, in spite of all the methodical atrocities they perpetrated or merely witnessed. Quite an unexpected ending...
11 Reviews
Another excellent WW2 movie that comes from Poland
Erik_Surewaard1 September 2023
After having seen over 200+ movies and shows about the second world war, I have actually never seen what this movie so clearly shows... During the peak of warfare - i.e. As of 1942 - many german men already perished at the eastern front or are still on active duty in some non-german country. So, that basically leaves many german cities with a lot more women than men. And as a young adult single male, residing in a large city like Frankfurt must have gathered a lot of attention from the female counterpart. And that's regardless of the women being single or married, with their husband serving in the army or SS.
Based on true events, this movie is about life as a non-german "foreigner" in Frankfurt. It shows how german people see relationships with non-germans. A showcase of not only german discrimination, but even more so the cruel practices of the SS (Gestapo), it makes one aware of how evil humanity can be to its own kind.
A combination of very good acting and some very convincing movie sets of the 1940's era, the movie "transports" the viewer to Frankfurt during WW2.
Overall, this movie deserves a score of 7.4/10, just barely missing the point where it would have received an 8-star IMDb rating.
Based on true events, this movie is about life as a non-german "foreigner" in Frankfurt. It shows how german people see relationships with non-germans. A showcase of not only german discrimination, but even more so the cruel practices of the SS (Gestapo), it makes one aware of how evil humanity can be to its own kind.
A combination of very good acting and some very convincing movie sets of the 1940's era, the movie "transports" the viewer to Frankfurt during WW2.
Overall, this movie deserves a score of 7.4/10, just barely missing the point where it would have received an 8-star IMDb rating.
Polish War Drama beded upon a Novel by Leopold TYRMAND
ZeddaZogenau20 November 2023
In 1961, the Polish author Leopold TYRMAND (1920-1985) published the semi-biographical novel "FILIP", which was recently finally translated into German by the Frankfurter Verlagsanstalt. Since Polish cinema has been on the rise for some time, it was only a matter of time before this extraordinary book was made into a film for the cinema.
With the last of his strength, the Polish Jew Filip (Eryk KULM) is able to escape the unbelievable murders in the Warsaw Ghetto. And what does this young man do, struggling to survive? Using false information, he went to Nazi Germany as a forced laborer. There he works as a waitress in a luxury hotel in Frankfurt am Main. What madness! Together with his friend Pierre (Victor MEUTELET), the attractive Filip doesn't let anything go wrong. The young men also offer sexual services for starving German women. On the contrary! Somehow Filip sees his attractive coldness towards the female sex as his personal revenge for the injustice he has suffered. He finds a like-minded person in the beautiful Blanka (EUROVISION star Zoe STRAUB). His dullness is only put to the test when he meets the young German Lisa (Caroline HARTIG). Soon the first bombs will fall on Frankfurt am Main...
This film impresses with its brilliant change of perspective. A Polish Jew puts himself in great danger in order to survive. This means you can finally see Nazi-era Germany from the perspective of people who knew how to use the system to their advantage in order to survive. The film was shot in Torun, Poland, which still bears a lot of resemblance to a city from the 1940s. The film can now find a worldwide audience on NETFLIX. You should definitely watch it in the original, where German, Yiddish and Polish are spoken.
The appearance of the Austrian actress and singer Zoe STRAUB is particularly beautiful. At the EUROVISION Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, she competed for her home country Austria and achieved an excellent eighth place in the televoting. Zoe STRAUB is now a successful actress.
Very worth seeing film!
With the last of his strength, the Polish Jew Filip (Eryk KULM) is able to escape the unbelievable murders in the Warsaw Ghetto. And what does this young man do, struggling to survive? Using false information, he went to Nazi Germany as a forced laborer. There he works as a waitress in a luxury hotel in Frankfurt am Main. What madness! Together with his friend Pierre (Victor MEUTELET), the attractive Filip doesn't let anything go wrong. The young men also offer sexual services for starving German women. On the contrary! Somehow Filip sees his attractive coldness towards the female sex as his personal revenge for the injustice he has suffered. He finds a like-minded person in the beautiful Blanka (EUROVISION star Zoe STRAUB). His dullness is only put to the test when he meets the young German Lisa (Caroline HARTIG). Soon the first bombs will fall on Frankfurt am Main...
This film impresses with its brilliant change of perspective. A Polish Jew puts himself in great danger in order to survive. This means you can finally see Nazi-era Germany from the perspective of people who knew how to use the system to their advantage in order to survive. The film was shot in Torun, Poland, which still bears a lot of resemblance to a city from the 1940s. The film can now find a worldwide audience on NETFLIX. You should definitely watch it in the original, where German, Yiddish and Polish are spoken.
The appearance of the Austrian actress and singer Zoe STRAUB is particularly beautiful. At the EUROVISION Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, she competed for her home country Austria and achieved an excellent eighth place in the televoting. Zoe STRAUB is now a successful actress.
Very worth seeing film!
A riveting WW2 drama shot in beautiful Torun
glennstandish3 March 2023
I don't usually go for foreign language films but I chose this movie as it had been filmed where I live in Torun, Poland. I'm so glad I decided to see it. It's a very well-made drama set in Frankfurt during WW2. The story focuses on the central character of Filip who is actually a Jewish Pole passing off to be a Frenchman. Despite being a Polish film the language is 80% German with some French and Polish thrown in. I highly recommend this film. It's thought-provoking and also riveting. It was also great to see my beloved Torun up on the big screen. It had been converted very well into 1940s Germany and it looked great.
At Last A Recent war film I enjoyed
muzattwell28 September 2023
As A fan of war films, especially WW2, I sat down and gave this one a go, so glad I did.
This was a great story, always rooting for Filip against the evil Nazi regime.
Good solid film, with an excellent cast who all really dragged you into the movie until the last second.
WW2 movies years ago, there was a long list of really great movies, one after the other, some fiction and some True stories, but lately it's been slightly disappointing, so this hidden gem was a real delight.
It does have subtitles, but that doesn't bother me at all, but if you're not a fan of them. Just try and steer your way through.
Give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
This was a great story, always rooting for Filip against the evil Nazi regime.
Good solid film, with an excellent cast who all really dragged you into the movie until the last second.
WW2 movies years ago, there was a long list of really great movies, one after the other, some fiction and some True stories, but lately it's been slightly disappointing, so this hidden gem was a real delight.
It does have subtitles, but that doesn't bother me at all, but if you're not a fan of them. Just try and steer your way through.
Give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
An Engaging and Believable Story About The Psychological Effects of Warfare
lesley_6528 December 2023
I was totally absorbed watching this movie. It was beautifully produced, very well cast, and kept you guessing the whole time. I liked that fact that the moral issues in the movie weren't black and white, and people on both sides exploited opportunities for personal gain or revenge - such is the effect of this particular war which took such a toll on civilian life.
I've watched dozens of movies about WWII, but none quite like this: none which seemed so real and yet so artistic, so full of surprises and yet so believable, and most of all, one with such a complex central character for whom I felt so much empathy in spite of his moments of cruelty. And I agree with one of the other reviewers that the climax of the movie is tremendous.
I've watched dozens of movies about WWII, but none quite like this: none which seemed so real and yet so artistic, so full of surprises and yet so believable, and most of all, one with such a complex central character for whom I felt so much empathy in spite of his moments of cruelty. And I agree with one of the other reviewers that the climax of the movie is tremendous.
Do not waste your time!
sambusby-3438819 November 2023
I have NEVER written a review for a movie, good, bad or indifferent.
I will keep this very short, do not for the love of god waste your time watching this movie.
What an utter waste of my time, I wish someone would have told me not to do this.
I rated it a 1/10 and frankly that was generous.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying, high or drunk. I absolutely love just about any WWII movie but this is as bad as they come.
Don't even get me started on the ending...
Those of you that read this review and still watch it, please come back to me and tell me that I was indeed right and you should not have watched it.
I will keep this very short, do not for the love of god waste your time watching this movie.
What an utter waste of my time, I wish someone would have told me not to do this.
I rated it a 1/10 and frankly that was generous.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying, high or drunk. I absolutely love just about any WWII movie but this is as bad as they come.
Don't even get me started on the ending...
Those of you that read this review and still watch it, please come back to me and tell me that I was indeed right and you should not have watched it.
Not all hope is lost for Filip
Julio196419 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This movie explores the wartime life of a young Jewish male, Filip: We watch how he deals with grief, personal identity; romance, war, friendships, prejudice, meaning of life, among other themes.
Here's a troubled young man who had to flee his country of birth due to circumstances beyond his control.
Although the main character has let's call it a "moral dilemma", as a viewer, one finds themselves sympathizing with him.
Having lived in Poland with a good understanding of Polish language, I was glued till the very end of the movie.
Talking about the last bit, what a climatic end!
"Brawo" to the entire cast and filming crew.
Here's a troubled young man who had to flee his country of birth due to circumstances beyond his control.
Although the main character has let's call it a "moral dilemma", as a viewer, one finds themselves sympathizing with him.
Having lived in Poland with a good understanding of Polish language, I was glued till the very end of the movie.
Talking about the last bit, what a climatic end!
"Brawo" to the entire cast and filming crew.
IRREVERENT AND GOOD
raiane-tavares28 November 2023
To know the history and/or have attended at least two films about the Second War, analyze the description and just wait for the moment when everything worse begins to happen, in the case of Jews, Poles and strangers and it is certain that everything will end in smoke. . Meanwhile, the tragic takes a different path, focused on the individual and shared with the dreams, desires, motivations of those who share why to survive in a vision of a singular life portrayed in the sympathetic figure of Filip. The characters limit me as well as the spoilers. I enjoyed it and recommend it! Aos brasileiros, bom filme!!
All is fair, in love and war?
michaelisking-6622617 January 2024
Well, well, well, what a wonderful surprise!
This movie was a journey into wartime survival. More than survival, being alive! Living. At great cost, at great risk, and with great "reward?". Beautiful at times, not "pretty". To the contrary. There's just enough joy, humanity, friendship, sex, laughter and perhaps love on the screen, to keep you from loosing all faith in mankind. At a time of such inhumanity.
Then and now.
The perfect time to see this movie?
Great performances by the way, especially Eryk Kulm. Deliciously sexy, angry, savage at times. Emotional, satisfying and powerful. Victor Meutelet and Caroline Hartig, really the entire ensemble did an incredible job. So glad we're able to see wonderful European movies on Netflix.
No. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. However for those who can appreciate other "perspectives" in life, cinema, storytelling, art and yes, history. Drink up! Loved it.
This movie was a journey into wartime survival. More than survival, being alive! Living. At great cost, at great risk, and with great "reward?". Beautiful at times, not "pretty". To the contrary. There's just enough joy, humanity, friendship, sex, laughter and perhaps love on the screen, to keep you from loosing all faith in mankind. At a time of such inhumanity.
Then and now.
The perfect time to see this movie?
Great performances by the way, especially Eryk Kulm. Deliciously sexy, angry, savage at times. Emotional, satisfying and powerful. Victor Meutelet and Caroline Hartig, really the entire ensemble did an incredible job. So glad we're able to see wonderful European movies on Netflix.
No. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. However for those who can appreciate other "perspectives" in life, cinema, storytelling, art and yes, history. Drink up! Loved it.
Very interesting story
Barbouzes5 May 2024
Unusual angle for a WW2 story with a specific refugee situation I have never seen evoked in a WW2 movie. The Polish young man at the center of this story is a difficult "hero" to like in spite of his obvious plight, because of his brutally hard shell and the death wish at time that seems to motivate his acts against his survival skills. But his moral evolution can be understood well enough, and the unknowns in his trajectory can be easily imagined. Meanwhile life in the Stuttgart hotel where he works in 1943 as a presumed French waiter is a microcosm of what happens to Germany as despair, decay, food scarcity, army defeats and survival needs vs morality sketch the end in sight for the crumbling nazi empire. I liked how the movie mixed German, Polish, French, Italian and (maybe?) yiddish dialogues seamlessly. Subtitles in my eyes are not a problem but an enhancement to a story like that. It is a story of survival in a foreign land under brutal circumstances: varied languages are a necessary part of the hostile landscape. The actor who plays the main role is perfect in his ability to charm and scare at the same time.
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