In Son of Saul, director Laszlo Nemes focuses so singly on the intent face of actor Geza Rohrig.Laszlo Nemes
The Vancouver International Film Festival runs Sept. 24 through Oct. 9. Each day, The Globe and Mail picks at least one must-watch film.
It takes strong nerves to sit through this remarkable film about an Auschwitz prisoner who is determined that a corpse he believes to be that of his son will receive a proper Jewish burial. One thing that makes the scenes in the gas chamber and crematorium where Saul works bearable is that director Laszlo Nemes focuses so singly on the intent face of actor Geza Rohrig rather than the hellfire around him. Unusual for a Holocaust drama, the film offers no false hope of rescue or resurrection, but does insist that our bearing witness matters. Elevator Pitch: A uniquely honest Holocaust drama.