De Tweeling (Academy Aware Nominee for Best Foreign Film)
More Info and Trailer here

A friend and I saw this movie on Friday night and I have to say it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time (it didn’t quite hit Amelie status but it was darn close!).

The story, which spans a 75+ year period, is centered around twin sisters, Anna & Lotte, who are separated at a young age after the death of their surviving parent. The movie traces the two completely different lives each girl has (one in upper class Holland, the other on a farm in Germany), spending most of it’s time in the years of WWII.

However, this isn’t just another WWII movie… it is a period drama which explores the nature of sibling relationship under some of the most extreme pressures. It deals with brokenness, bitterness, hatred, guilt, forgiveness and love and was a reminder to me of the great blessings (and at times trial!) it is to be made in the image of a relational God.

The acting was superb (especially considering both protagonists were played by three different actresses at different ‘ages’) and the story was gutwrenching. Very, very minimal violence (especially for a war movie), no swearing (well at least none that was translated into the subtitles!), no graphic sex scenes, wonderfully directed and all in all a movie which brings the reality of war home in a unique manner. Frankly I didn’t want it to end.

We saw it at Cinema Paris at Fox Studios but it is also at Dendy and a few of the other independent cinemas.

And yes, I cried. My bottom lip even quivered a bit ;)

Dani,

Here, south-west of the Great Dividing Range “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Girl with the Pearl Earring” have just started their limited screening (usually means 1-2 weeks ONLY).

If “ De Tweeling” comes to Wagga I’ll try to see it as it sounds fab.

thanks for the review
Angela