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A special welcome to our incoming IB Grade X1 class, who are already working with teachers on our Pre- IB Introductory Course. ALL STU...
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Each Grade 11 Student will post 100-150 words as Personal Reflection inspired by their visit to the Art Exhibition. Our Central Knowledge ...
Comments should be about 30-50 words and indicate a personal response to the film and not a summary. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe Pianist is a post modern film which revolves around the topic of human resilience. Roman Polanski, does not spare the audience any grief, and none of the barbarism of the Nazi’s is subdued even a little bit. Having said that, the more emotionally overwhelming scenes are dealt with tact, and not hovered upon long enough to make them maudlin.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene in the entire movie, was the one where Wladek finally gets to play the piano after so many years. I thought it was beautifully conceived. The choice of music, and the intensity with which Wladek uses his art to unleash years of pent up emotion, give the audience goose bumps. The directorial attention to minor details, such as Wladek’s short hesitation before playing, which to me conveyed a little uncertainty about his talent after such a long break, makes the film more enthralling and relatable.
'The Pianist' is an interesting film about the talented Władysław Szpilman's struggle during Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland at the outbreak of World War II. I feel sympathetic towards Szpilman when he is suffering,but it is heart warming to see him emerge safely from his adversity and get back to playing the piano, about which he is so passionate.
ReplyDeleteThe Pianist is a heart-wrenching movie set in the clutches of World War II. The protagonist, Wladyslaw Szpilman, faces the brunt of anti-Jewish discrimination, has innumerable near-death encounters, and has lost literally everything in life. Yet, he persists and survives, shows the strength of the human spirit in the most trying of times. However, Szpilman’s passiveness as a character is surprising – I could not wrap my head around the fact that he never fights back, but simply attempts to be elusive and escape.
ReplyDeleteThis was a disturbing, yet eye-opening movie for me, as it was the first movie I had seen about World War II. I was awakened to the utter destruction of the war; I had been unaware of the severity of the anti-Jewish sentiments, which lead to absolutely inhumane treatment of the Jews.
My favourite part was the unexpected friendship that forms between Szpilman and Hosenfield, a German officer who should have immediately killed Szpilman on finding out that Szpilman was a Jew. In complete contrast, Hosenfield helps Szpilman to survive by bringing him food. Hosenfield even gives Szpilman his own coat to beat the severe cold! This was perhaps one of the most touching parts of the movie, and is the epitome of the fact that friendships have no borders – two diametrically opposite men can form a connection in the most unlikely of times.
The Pianist is an intriguing film that portrays two very opposite primal doctrines; survival and destruction. Wladek plays the perfect victim, being both non-violent and wronged. His earnestness gains much sympathy from the audience. However, I felt that it was the condition in the ghettos of Poland that surprised me more than Wladek's own journey.
ReplyDeleteThe savagery of the fight for survival was absolutely fascinating to watch (even though it proved a little too disturbing at times), and it was then that the desperation of Jews all across Europe who were subjected to similar treatment. The film represented stereotypes and characters who defied their stereotypes, which made it all the more enjoyable.
For me, the most poignant moment of the film was where Hosenfield asks Wladek what he wishes to do 'after it's all done', representing that the war was truly over and that survivors had the momentous task of returning to their own lives with the ghosts of the Holocaust hanging above them.
The pianist is a an extremely troubling movie about the Second World War. It is a clear depiction of the situation in Germany during the war. I could not believe the brutal treatment of the jews. To actually visualize all the pain and suffering, made it hard to imagine how much worse it would have been in real life.
ReplyDeleteThe protagonist Szpilman was a jew and he managed to survive the harsh treatment. He was extremely brave and determined and he portrayed a great deal of courage. He had lost his entire family, his home, and everything that mattered to him. He was one out of the several lives who were hurt in this way.
I think this movie showed us the true nature of the Holocaust and it was truly devastating to see what people went through. In the end when the protagonist goes back to following his dreams and playing the piano was a symbol of hope that lingered between all the survivors.
I have always been interest in the Second World War and i am glad we watched this movie in class.
The pianist is one of the most tragic films I have watched in a long time. After watching Schindler’s list I didn’t think I would come across another movie about the holocaust, which would depict the horrors of World War II with such intensity.
ReplyDeleteThis movie revolves around a famous Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, who was regarded with a lot of respect however the start of the second world war reduced every Jew to a mere victim of the Nazi intimidation as they began being packed into small ghettos in Warsaw. The story follows the displacement of this pianist, one of the many victims of anti-Semitism under the third Reich.
The beauty of the film in my opinion lies not in the depiction of the horrendous crimes committed by the Nazis. Many books and films have already explored the barbaric nature Hitler’s government, instead I believe the portrayal of the idea of “survival of the fittest” where the protagonist does everything in his power to save HIMSELF makes the film unbelievably realistic.
I was cringing throughout the course of the movie yet I couldn’t seem to stop watching it. I think Polanski did an incredible job with this film
The Pianist is an excellent look at the Holocaust through a Jewish man's eyes, but I can see how the violence could be upsetting to some viewers due to the brutality depicted throughout the film. Personally, I loved The Pianist for a number of reasons, but the supreme reason goes to Adrain Brody's acting (Władysław Szpilman) . Through his character (Szpilman) the struggles endured for survival during the Nazi rule that I have read in my History texts were made real and came to live.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the film Władysław’s voice never grows bitter, plus his emotions never twist to abhorrence, and it’s why, I find myself respecting him so admirably. The movie was solely based on Szpilmans extraordinary true story to survive when the whole of Europe went into chaos. Not to forget, it was about his determination to live long enough, in the hopes to achieve his dream. The Pianist is a stunning testament to human endurance and tells the story of the horrendous events that took place in Nazi-occupied Warsaw and the Jewish ghetto which is brilliantly potrayed by Polanski.
American actor Adrien Brody perfectly portrays the character of Wladslaw Szpilman, an esteemed Jewish musician in war-torn Poland. His composed demeanour and respect from Polish audiences at the beginning of the film undergoes a dramatic transition. Wladyslaw turns into a sad sight of a man, lacking his dignity and his family. In spite of the horrors he faces, Wladyslaw survives. Survival, rather than forgiveness or submission, I think, is the most prevalent theme throughout. The will to go on, when hope is all but lost, is embodied by Szpilman’s indomitable spirit. His love for music is an accurate portrayal of this, and the sound of piano music or the piano itself remains a touching motif. Possibly the most poignant scene in the film is when Szpilman is reunited with the piano. Lost in the music, his skills buy him his survival, and he returns to being the esteemed pianist he was before the war.
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