Son of Saul

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Nudity    Violence    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens January 21, 2016 in Dallas (2015 Oscar Nom for Foreign Film)

Runs 107 minutes

It is 1944 in Auschwitz Concentration Camp. A Hungarian prisoner, Saul Auslander (Geza Rohrig) has been conscripted into the Sonderkommando - the group of prisoners who work at the crematoriums and must clean up after their own people are gassed. When a young boy survives the gassing but then later dies, Saul is determined to find a Rabbi and give him a proper burial. All of this is happening while the Sonderkommandos are preparing to revolt before they are gassed, as well.

This movie happens over the course of about two days. The camera follows Saul the entire time so we see what Saul sees and does. It is like being in the camp and feeling the utter chaos and helplessness of the prisoners there. I liked this film but I didn't love it. I would have liked a little more of a straightforward story than just Saul's perspective. And, it was a little hard keeping track of who each character was. But, overall a very harrowing film that is based on the real Sonderkommando Revolt of October 7, 1944. If you like foreign films, this is the leading contender for the Oscar so go see it.

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