I finally caught up with this Oscar winner (Best Foreign Film) and was blown away by its story-telling.
The Austrian film directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky depicts what it claims to be the biggest ever counterfeiting activity - led by Nazis counterfeiting British Pounds and Dollars. By the end of the operation, they had produced more Pounds than the actual mint/s of United Kingdom.
The story is about the man, Salomon Sorowitsch who is the best at this game. He was a student of art but took the easy way out, or rather worked to become master at this art.
During the Nazi occupation, as he struggles to survive in his camp, he is picked by the man who had arrested him to head the 'printing press' for money.
The film starts with Sorowitsch at a casino, post Nazi-era and establishes him as a cold, seemingly selfish person interested in blowing money and attracted to women. It then goes into a flashback to reveal the entire story on how Sorowitsch works with his team to counterfeit money and deals with the challenges and resistance within the camp.
The story is about a selfish person whose focus is on surviving but under the circumstance he risks every thing to save his people. He wants to survive and get through but his need is to help other people make it.
With a tight and gripping telling, with excellent acting the film creates a truly memorable experience. It's so much visual and with Sorowitsch being a loner, a 'no-talker', it's a flick that captivates you and takes you on a unique journey.
Based on a book by Adolf Burger
Writer: Stefan Ruzowitzky
Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky
Rating ****
[Max Rating ****]
[Viewed on UTV World Movies at Manish's in Bangalore on 30th Oct, 2009 @ 9.30 am]
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