The war showed no kindness to this young boy. Those who lived through the early 1940s in Europe would share their own accounts of a truly terrible story. Many people were struggling just to stay alive, every day, every minute. It felt as if paradise had turned into hell. This film is based on a recent book, which itself was inspired by the true story of an eight-year-old Jewish boy. You could compare it to 'The Pianist,' or see it as the opposite of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' – what might have happened if Anne hadn’t found shelter. It’s deeply emotional from beginning to end. There have been many good World War II films recently, but I haven’t felt so affected by one. I was completely heartbroken! It’s sad that this film hasn’t gotten more attention, especially given how recent its release was. Perhaps it's because it wasn't made by a major studio or didn't feature well-known actors; though I did recognize some German and Polish performers in smaller roles. It was jointly produced by Poland, Germany, and France, but ideally it should have been in English to reach a wider audience. However, I appreciate that they kept the original languages and locations, as this provides an authentic depiction of events. It’s also refreshing to see the Russians portrayed not as the villains or toughest characters, as is often the case in other WWII films. The film starts very powerfully. We don't immediately know who this boy is, where he comes from, or where he's going, but it's clear that he’s fighting for his survival against overwhelming odds. A brief flashback later shows a little of his recent past, although not much detail about his home and parents is revealed. There's some additional information at the end that will certainly be emotionally impactful. He was very young to understand everything happening, but he quickly developed skills to survive. As they say, "all is fair in love and war," and while he wasn’t a soldier, what he did had to be done – it was impressive for someone his age. Some people helped him along the way, while others didn't. It’s all about constant running, like an animal trying to survive in the wild, never knowing when they will become prey. > ❝Keep moving. To the east, where the sun rises.❞ His journey through three years of his life felt endless. He had to sacrifice so much, including his innocence; the war showed no mercy on it. I couldn't bear to watch one scene where he was seriously injured. A film always compresses events that took years in real life into just a couple of hours. Only Yoran Fridman knows what it truly felt like, and he appears in the final scene. It’s essentially a coming-of-age story, but no child should have to experience something like this. I realize this is only a film adaptation, but that boy's smile, his sobs, his fear, and his survival strategies are so moving that you become completely absorbed in watching it. However, the film mainly focuses on the war years; there’s no earlier background about his family or what happened afterward, except for a brief mention at the very end, as is typical of films. The casting was excellent. The boy playing the lead role was actually played by twin brothers, and they switched roles effectively. It had a great screenplay and direction. The locations were wonderful, especially how they created that wartime atmosphere. The background music was perfect; it’s a truly remarkable film that transports you back to Poland 75 years ago when the Nazi army was present. I hadn't even known this was a war film before deciding to watch it, but it turned out to be a great choice. This is how I often discover hidden gems, and I enjoy sharing them with others. Films like this usually contain more upsetting events. Seeing a child in such circumstances made it even more painful to watch if you’re someone who prefers lighter fare. Nevertheless, this film shouldn't be missed; it’s essential viewing for those interested in WWII stories. I don't think I will forget what I just saw anytime soon, and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a movie but unsure which one to choose. The wider world needs to know about this film, and I hope my review helps spread the word. So go ahead and watch it if you haven’t already. _9/10_

Source on TMDB