Jan Hrebejk's Divided we Fall, the Czech nominee for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2001 Academy Awards, tells the moving tale of a Czech couple attempting desperately to preserve their humanity while the Nazis take over their country and wage war on the rest of Europe. Bolek Polivka stars as Josef, a humble man helping the Jews pack up and leave before the Nazi invasion. He and his wife, Marie (the marvelous Anna Siskova), are in danger of drifting apart because they are unable to have children. Once the war begins and the Jews are shepherded out of their town and to Theresienstadt, Marie and Josef must obey the Gestapo's rules or else end up being arrested. They are visited almost daily by Horst (Jaroslav Ducek), who is quite taken with Marie while trying to lure Josef into collaborating the Nazis; to show his support for the new regime, Horst has even trimmed his mustache and combed his hair so that he closely resembles Hitler. When an escaped Jew (whose father Josef and Horst used to work for) shows up needing help, Josef and Marie are unable to say no, even though they understand that they will be killed if they are caught harboring a fugitive.
Directed by
Jan Hrebejk
Written by
Jan Hrebejk, Petr Jarchovský (screenplay) Petr Jarchovský (story)
Starring
Bolek Polívka (Josef Cízek); Anna Sisková (Marie Cizková); Csongor Kassai (David Wiener); Jaroslav Dusek (Horst Prohaska); Martin Huba (Dr. Albrecht Kepke); Jirí Pecha (Frantisek Simácek); Simona Stasová (Libuse Simácková); Vladimir Marek (SS Officer (as Vladimír Marek)); Richard Tesarík (Captain); Karel Hermánek (Captain); Otto Sevcik (SS Offcier); Jirí Kodet (Dr. Fischer-Rybáf). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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Self-sacrifice, courage and humour in a time of war
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
Divided we Fall was nominated for the 2001 best foreign film Oscar - and deservedly so. The story tells the tale of the sacrifice and risks people are prepared to make simply for their fellow citizens; not because they are related but simply because they are mere acquaintances, and most of all fellow human-beings. The script maintains a good level of humour throughout and maintains audience empathy and interest right to the closing scene. Bolek Polívka and Anna Sisková turn in great performances as Josef and Marie; the married couple struggling to preserve their consciences as well as their lives.