Set in 1942 Berlin during World War II, this film tells the story of a young
Jewish man, Cioma who becomes a hero through his forgery skills. The Cioma's
family has been deported to concentration camps, and his friend's exemption from
deportation has been lost.
Cioma's exemption is on borrowed time, but a chance offer to forge
identification papers to smuggle Jews out of the country puts his art background
to life-saving use. He takes on different personas to avoid suspicion and
successfully helps over 300 people escape. The movie successfully
immerses viewers in 1940s Berlin, depicting
the wartime nightlife and the ever-shrinking living spaces.
The director and lead actor bring to life a character who has seen too much
in his young life. While the film balances humor and the gravity of wartime
brutality, some of the comedic moments feel abrupt. |