Divided We Fall

"Divided We Fall," a Czech movie about hard decisions and loyalty, not to one's country, but to yourself, is portrayed

very well by director Jan Hrebejk. This movie, considered a black comedy, is more than just a true story being told; it shows how hard it was for one family to conseal a Jewish person in their home.

Csonger Kassai's character, David, escaped prison in Poland and returned to Czechoslovakia where he thought that someone could help him. He is taken in by his former employee (Bolek Polivka, who plays Josef), who is reluctant at first, but spends the next two years lying in order to save David, himself, and his wife, Marie (Anna Siskova). Throughout the film, there are many close calls. The worst one is that Marie told Horst (a worker for the Nazis, who always comes over uninvited) that she is pregnant (in order to save David), although everyone knows the couple want children, but have never had any. Although you think that the couple have the hardest part of keeping David a secret, it's hard for David, especially at the end where he has to show his face in order to save the people who have consealed him.

The setting of the house where Josef and Marie lived was a very good example of what most non-Jewish people would live in. It was small, but cosy just enough for two people. It also included a pantry which was turned into a shelter for David. Not many shots were taken out of the house and that ones that were taken of the street told the audience a lot, especially during the resistance. That scene showed people blowing up houses where collaborators lived, breaking glass windows, and running around the street chaotic. The cinematic techniques added much emotion to the story created on screen. Everytime there was a very important section or Nazis knocking on Josef's door, the cameras seemed to be slowing down just a little bit, as if to tell the audience "Okay, now it's the time to pay attention." Throughout the film, Hrebejk knew where to put the cameras in order to get the best take of a scene, which enhanced the view of watching the movie and added suspence to it.

The music suited the movie very nicely. By the type of music playing, you could determine what sort of scene was coming up, either fast and light hearted music for comedy, and sad depressing music for drama. It felt like there was no music, but this writer knows that without it, the movie would not be the same. In the 1940s, the costumes were well suited for each charater. Marie always had on a very light, cotton dress with

a light cardigan; Josef wore dark pants, a buttoned shirt and tie, and either a tattered suit jacket or a cardigan; and David always wore an orangy turtleneck and dark pants, since they couldn't buy him new clothes. The costumes really helped a lot describing the atmosphere of the movie. The atmosphere did not strike me as black comedy but as a powerful depiction of the truth, the hardship of doing the right thing, and staying a friend to someone in need, though you may be risking your own life.

There were four main characters throughout the movie, and all of them were very convincing. David was convincing of a sullen, Jewish man, just from a concentration camp; Josef was convincing of a man who was struggling with his conscience; Marie as the wife who was obedient

and also someone who could stand up to people when she needed to; and finally Horst, who was very convincing of a man belonging to society, and trying to fit in and not get into trouble. Horst was also a man who knew when to forget all his beliefs and just do what was right. The acting was fabulous for all characters. I feel the best job was done by Jaroslav Dusek (Horst), who wanted to keep on the Nazi's good side but also