I loved the idea of the documentary. Everybody knows Anne's story. It was fascinating to listen to the experiences of other women who were of her age at the time of WW2. Helen mirren was fantastic as always.
I really did not understand the point of that Emo kid in the documentary. The trope is this teenage girl who is little older than Anne going to the places of Nazi atrocities. While visiting she post very shallow and lame online posts with hashtags. That was actually cringey to watch. And whoever came up with that idea inorder to be more appealing to younger aundiences should be ashamed of themselves. You have a very low opinion of how much teenagers can understand without the support of the hashtag. Also you are using the hashtag wrong.
41 Reviews
The young girl hash tagging was annoying
arieslacdan5 July 2020
Overall it's a wonderful movie, they could of done without the teenage girl hash tagging and posting pics on instagram. I don't know if the the producers approach was to reach younger audiences, but it seemed out of place and somewhat annoying.
Overall good film to watch.
Overall good film to watch.
Good Movie
pirrello-3938312 July 2020
A missed opportunity
ecroasdell-8120816 March 2020
Last night I went to see the movie documentary #Anne Frank: Parallel Stories (the hash tag is part of the title). First thing to remember is that it's directed at teenagers so it's not going to be quite as in-depth as something like Shoah, the gold-standard for Holocaust documentaries. That said I found the movie pretty shallow and in many ways annoying. The heart of the movie was interviews with five women Holocaust survivors of the same age as Anne Frank would be now. This was moving and very well done, with each woman drawing parallels between what had happened in their childhoods and the rise, encouragement, and acceptance of racism and bigotry we see now. One survivor particularly moved me when she said "Our revenge against the Nazis is our children".
Helen Mirren narrated and linked various parts of the movie from what was said to be an exact reproduction of Anne Frank's bedroom, if you've ever been to the Frank house you'll know that the annexe is kept mostly empty at the wishes of Otto Frank. This was effective in evoking the claustrophobia of life in the annex but seemed a little unnecessary. Mirren herself seemed to have pretty much dialled in her performance, a combination of overacting and not very believable emoting. Too much Mirren and not enough narrator.
The movie's main trope was that of a teenage girl travelling to various places in Western Europe associated with Anne Frank and documenting her feelings on instagram-like social media. The girl had no character whatsoever, the only thing we learn about her is that she likes cake and nose-piercings. Her social-media updates never rose above the level of "I wonder what you were thinking, Anne? #oppression".
The usual pictures and films of what happened in the camps are, as always, horrifying, and I cried a little during the interviews with the five survivors but overall this was a wasted opportunity. This has been done so much better in other movies and documentaries. I hope this is better received by the target audience than it was by me.
The most important message from this documentary was that the appeal of fascism and the urge to genocide has never gone away, that it is in fact back with a vengeance. That all those who are horrified by what happened in the Shoah should also be horrified by what's happening now to refugees and immigrants around the world and should draw the parallels between the populism, bigotry, hatred, and nationalism the Nazis parlayed into power and the populism, bigotry, hatred, and nationalism so many of our current governments are also parlaying into power. The witnesses to the Holocaust are nearly all gone now, their history is being rewritten and denied by those whose intentions are evil and it's more important than ever that those witnesses get to speak out now to generations to whom the Holocaust seems to be as far away and irrelevant to their lives as the Spanish Armada.
Despite my opinion that this movie could have been so much better, if it manages to get that message across to its target audience then it will have served its purpose and that purpose is eminently worthwhile.
Helen Mirren narrated and linked various parts of the movie from what was said to be an exact reproduction of Anne Frank's bedroom, if you've ever been to the Frank house you'll know that the annexe is kept mostly empty at the wishes of Otto Frank. This was effective in evoking the claustrophobia of life in the annex but seemed a little unnecessary. Mirren herself seemed to have pretty much dialled in her performance, a combination of overacting and not very believable emoting. Too much Mirren and not enough narrator.
The movie's main trope was that of a teenage girl travelling to various places in Western Europe associated with Anne Frank and documenting her feelings on instagram-like social media. The girl had no character whatsoever, the only thing we learn about her is that she likes cake and nose-piercings. Her social-media updates never rose above the level of "I wonder what you were thinking, Anne? #oppression".
The usual pictures and films of what happened in the camps are, as always, horrifying, and I cried a little during the interviews with the five survivors but overall this was a wasted opportunity. This has been done so much better in other movies and documentaries. I hope this is better received by the target audience than it was by me.
The most important message from this documentary was that the appeal of fascism and the urge to genocide has never gone away, that it is in fact back with a vengeance. That all those who are horrified by what happened in the Shoah should also be horrified by what's happening now to refugees and immigrants around the world and should draw the parallels between the populism, bigotry, hatred, and nationalism the Nazis parlayed into power and the populism, bigotry, hatred, and nationalism so many of our current governments are also parlaying into power. The witnesses to the Holocaust are nearly all gone now, their history is being rewritten and denied by those whose intentions are evil and it's more important than ever that those witnesses get to speak out now to generations to whom the Holocaust seems to be as far away and irrelevant to their lives as the Spanish Armada.
Despite my opinion that this movie could have been so much better, if it manages to get that message across to its target audience then it will have served its purpose and that purpose is eminently worthwhile.
Some very poor film-making choices ruined what could have been
naveennbhat21 January 2021
First up, like nearly every other review for this title, I echo the same sentiment- the social media girl had no place in this documentary. That sub-plot added nothing. Absolutely pointless. Next, Helen Mirren. Why? Why the cringey emoting? I get that she is an actor, but we did not need one here. All she had to do was simply read through the book without trying to channel her inner Anne.
The stories of survivors who were born around the same time as Anne Frank were the highlight of the movie, as it should be. Anne would have been 91 today. Tatiana talking about her mother moved me to tears. It was also nice to see the kids and grandkids being interviewed. One could see that they realised they existed in this world because their grandma made it out of Auschwitz. Touching stories.
The stories of survivors who were born around the same time as Anne Frank were the highlight of the movie, as it should be. Anne would have been 91 today. Tatiana talking about her mother moved me to tears. It was also nice to see the kids and grandkids being interviewed. One could see that they realised they existed in this world because their grandma made it out of Auschwitz. Touching stories.
almost nothing about the 5 survivors
sorcered15 July 2020
Anne Frank is so well known I hoped this documentary would focus at least in equal measure on the "parallel stories" in the title. Unfortunately, I didn't learn much about them. Also, the instagram girl gimmick was useless, with all her #lousyhashtags.
Meh
paulapantsdown28 December 2020
I think the girl wandering about and hash tagging is their way of trying to get a younger audience? Helen Mirran was I guess used to join Anne Frank's story, with the survivors. Just unnecessary and drew your attention away from the survivors stories.
Not only "something that happened many years ago"
spiderdib1 July 2020
Leaving that unnecessary and cringy Millennial perspective aside...
This documentary is way more than a way to teach what happened in the holocaust with Anne's words, this was a way to enhance the goal of history which is to learn about the past in order to not give up on the same mistakes humanity did, all this into the new generations, feeling it more personal and close to it, a way to scream that the racism we all still live for different reasons is an unnecessary event.
That's how I could define this documentary: A bridge between adults' history and the young ones.
This documentary is way more than a way to teach what happened in the holocaust with Anne's words, this was a way to enhance the goal of history which is to learn about the past in order to not give up on the same mistakes humanity did, all this into the new generations, feeling it more personal and close to it, a way to scream that the racism we all still live for different reasons is an unnecessary event.
That's how I could define this documentary: A bridge between adults' history and the young ones.
Pretty good but with one awkward element
cowgoesmoo5 March 2020
I saw this a couple nights ago and enjoyed it very much. I particularly liked Helen Mirren's dramatic readings from the diary as well as hearing from Anne's contemporaries and their children/grandchildren, which makes you wonder "what if" she had been able to hold on a couple more months. Many pictures were incorporated that I've never seen before. Something that didn't work for me was the "modern girl" with the Twitter handle "KatherineKat". Since Anne was writing to a fictional "Kitty", this seems to be Kitty writing back and presumably was a modern day equivalent of a diary but using social media instead. Whereas Anne could expound in her diary, a tweet was by it's nature quite limited. I found that aspect a little annoying, but I suppose younger audiences might well have enjoyed it.
What's up with the hashtags? Lol
miguelufrrj24 September 2022
I have yet to see something so unintentionally funny and out of place as those hashtags from the influencer (who maybe represented Anne's diary in the future, I guess??). I genuinely laughed at most hashtags, they were so uninspired and lame it was actually funny. And it made me self-conscious about it because the story being told is obviously so tragic and sad. But it kept being interrupted by those ridiculous Instagram posts. If you can get past that, it is definitely worth the watch. Especially if you're an avid Anne Frank admirer like me. Not really anything new about her, but the "parallel stories" of the other women are historic testimonies as well and needed to be told.
Why the social media focused scenes?
luapuk3 July 2020
I started to watch this but had to turn it off - I found the whole student going on the journey and her awful instagram posts and cringeworthy hash tags crass and distracting.
The scenes felt shoe horned in to probably to try and be seen as credible in today's day and age where the "kids" use phones all day long but actually ruined what was (other than those points) poignant and informing.
Shame.
The scenes felt shoe horned in to probably to try and be seen as credible in today's day and age where the "kids" use phones all day long but actually ruined what was (other than those points) poignant and informing.
Shame.
Great story, horrible filming!
gfjf1325 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I knew of Anne Frank and her diaries; so I was really excited when I saw this documentary on Netflix. I gave it 8 stars because of the storyline and the narrator (Helen Mirren is great!), but the actual film is just not ideal to the viewer.
Why the focus on social media? I can understand how they were trying to get Katerina (present) to relate to Anne and the survivors (past) but it was totally unnecessary. Had they focused on Anne's life; her story; the story of the other women; this would had made an incredible well filmed documentary; but instead it was ruined by adding the extra stuff it truly didn't need.
I am happy I got to know more about Anne Frank's life but I tell you this; Katerina and her hashtags was simply annoying!!!
Why the focus on social media? I can understand how they were trying to get Katerina (present) to relate to Anne and the survivors (past) but it was totally unnecessary. Had they focused on Anne's life; her story; the story of the other women; this would had made an incredible well filmed documentary; but instead it was ruined by adding the extra stuff it truly didn't need.
I am happy I got to know more about Anne Frank's life but I tell you this; Katerina and her hashtags was simply annoying!!!
A Sensitive Introduction to Anne Frank
LeonardKniffel10 July 2020
Let's face it, Helen Mirren can do no wrong, and here reading from the diary of Anne Frank she is ever so watchable and gives intensity to the writings of a victim of Nazism who has come to symbolize the suffering of millions. This film is a good introduction to a historical figure while also offering the testimony of living Holocaust survivors who were around Anne's age when they were imprisoned in concentration camps. Their "parallel stories" are what the film's title refers to. Like other reviewers, however, I felt the introduction of a contemporary young girl shown tweeting around historical sites merely distracting and an obvious attempt to attract young viewers. Mirren's voice alone made me want to read the book again.
An incredible story, destroyed
hannahcborn11 July 2020
I honestly had to turn this off as it was annoying me so much. From the ridiculous and constant social media posts of the modern day teen, to Helen Mirror's overacting when reading Anne's journal posts. This story is so moving, tragic and incredible on its own without the use of gimmicks. Terribly done.
Everyone should see this!
sarah-mason414 March 2020
I just saw this yesterday and was privileged enough for the film to be introduced by a Holocaust survivor of our community and then followed up with a history professor leading a discussion and Q&A time afterwards. I wish everyone could experience this film in that way, but irregardless, it is an impactful story of not just Anne Frank, but also the multiple women who survived. This is a part of our history that we should never forget so that it will never repeat. I wish they would show this at all the schools since students would get more out of this than anything in a history book.
Could've been better
davidlohr3 July 2020
I enjoyed listening to the stories told by survivors but found the added dramatization - a teen walking around a museum on her cellphone - unnecessary. It's also not a good film for those unfamiliar with Anne's story. In my opinion, it lacked much of the backstory and jumped around too much.
Understanding Anne Frank's Young Life
papadadiv15 August 2020
I don't agree with the reviewer. I saw the girls journey as touchingly symbolic. She, a young person of today only wanted to understand more, to search and connect with Anne in a way we cannot otherwise do after 75 years. It reveals in a deeper sense too, today's youth has not lost all of its morals, and humane understanding of life. Let us not overlook those lives of five other girls who survived. I applaud Helen Mirren's heartfelt production.
Anne Frank - Symbol of Horror of 20th Century
iamvivek3 August 2020
Be kind & have courage.
It's to be watch so that younger generation know that for truth to came out it took so many years finally in 1961.
Hitler knew what he was doing and he chose to do it with pride and enthusiasm. It's all pre-planned with the help of all neighboring countries that I came to know about.
Stories were moving, the rest was not
whozzitwhazzit2 July 2020
The stories told by the survivors were moving and excellently done. Sadly, the rest was not. Helen Mirren was okay, but entirely too emotive. Emotive and yet she didn't seem completely involved at the same time.
The worst part was the current day teen and the ridiculous tweets and hashtags. Seriously, using the hashtag #cancelled in desribing the murder of millions was incredibly insulting. That whole bit was shallow and really detracted from the powerful stories of the survivors. Every few minutes they were interrupted by the tweeting nonsense. It was distracting and disrespectful.
If you need tweets and hashtags and continual breaks to compel you to feel Anne's story, I think it says a lot about you.
Why the negative reviews?
jacobcope-4282418 July 2020
Yes this is a very busy documentary, but the whole point of it was to share the stories of these women who were Anne's age. They survived and Anne didn't. Anne could have lived a life like there's and accomplished everything she dreamed of, but because of hate she never did. Anne dreamed of publishing her writing and living after death through her influence. The whole point of the girl and social media was to illustrate how young people relate to Anne today. I thought that whole point of it was moving.
Read The Negative Reviews (They're Accurate)
genious-3541316 July 2020
I SO wanted to see this and like it, and especially with Helen Mirren involved. Her aspect was frustrating and - I guess I would say overbearing in how she seemed to be TRYING to elicit so much emotion yet still comes off as mostly disconnected. But that's the lesser of the problem - as many others have noted, the millennial instagram influencer sideshow was obnoxious to say the least. It has no place in this kind of production and the last thing that should be resorted to in ANY documentary type of story is gimmickry. I get that they want to attract young viewers - but simply sticking a hipster Kardashian type and the inane hashtags made me constantly hit the fast-forward button. Good job ruining what could have been a very compelling and important film.
Spellbinding
Kanamma3 July 2020
Hated it
velahugo-16 July 2020
The girl posting lame hashtags absolutely ruined the documentary. Not to mention the posts were impossible to read. They were WAY TOO SMALL and everytime the stupid girl appeared she gave me a headache. Also, putting white captions on a white background? Had to pause the film just to be able to read clearly. Where did this director go to film school? Had to turn it off. Don't watch this.
AnneFrank. Parallel Stories
blakerolfsensanchez3 June 2023
I give this story a 10 because it had intersting stories about the past and present time.
Nice to see these suvivors telling their stories
And also because of Helen Mirren who is amazing She knows how to talk in a low tone and make it more exciting
But what pissed me off was that stupid girl going around taking pictures and posting them online and wanted us to believe that she thought of Anne Frank all the time
This story would've been better without her Because it was annoying and we don't know why she was there. No explination. What so ever..
To all the holocaust victims
Rest In Peace.
Nice to see these suvivors telling their stories
And also because of Helen Mirren who is amazing She knows how to talk in a low tone and make it more exciting
But what pissed me off was that stupid girl going around taking pictures and posting them online and wanted us to believe that she thought of Anne Frank all the time
This story would've been better without her Because it was annoying and we don't know why she was there. No explination. What so ever..
To all the holocaust victims
Rest In Peace.
Hated the girl and her social media posting
castillolisbeth11 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I found disrespectful the whole social media posting and the hashtags ... not to mention the girl. Didn't like Mirren with her over acting , over reaction about every single word of Anne Frank's book. So sorry about the parallel stories, very touching.
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