Based on a remarkable true story, Cioma Schönhaus, a blonde, blue-eyed 21 year-old Jew, charms through survival whilst saving lives from the Nazis by forging documents and passports.
Hiding in plain sight is Schönhaus’ motto as, living in Berlin, with little more than a library card for ID, he struggles through a war torn everyday. But not everything is bleak as he, with best friend Det (Jonathan Berlin), look to find some joy – even if it means selling off the family valuables for a song to the blackmailing landlady, Frau Peters (Nina Gummich). But as the authorities tighten their grip on the city, so the dangers to Schönhaus (Louis Hofman) increase. Producing more and more forged documents, he needs to create one convincing identity: his own.
With a surprising lightness of touch, director Maggie Peren avoids melodrama in capturing the claustrophobic reality of life in Berlin. It’s the depiction of Schönhaus’ personal experience and, whilst occasionally treated a little too light-weight, it remains a powerful personal story.
Rating: 66%
Director: Maggie Peren (Stellungswechsel, Die Farbe des Ozeans)
Writer: Maggie Peren (Stellungswechsel, Die Farbe des Ozeans) – based on the memoire by Cioma Schönhaus
Main cast: Louis Hofman (Land of Mine, TV’s All the Light We Cannot See), Jonathan Berlin (Sprich mit mir, Black Box), Luna Wedler (The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, TV’s All the Light We Cannot See)
An Opinion or Two 