Past Life

Past Life is a gripping and powerful drama film that was released in 2016. The movie is directed by Avi Nesher and stars Nelly Tagar, Joy Rieger, and Doron Tavory in lead roles. The story revolves around two sisters who are determined to uncover the truth about their family's past and the secrets that have been kept hidden for years.

The film begins in 1977 in Israel, where Sephi Milch (Joy Rieger) is a young aspiring musician hoping to make a name for herself in the classical music scene. Her father, Baruch (Doron Tavory), is a respected family man and successful architect who seems to have put his past behind him. However, when Sephi performs a piece that she believes was written by her father's close friend, Polish composer Thomasz Limanowski, she uncovers a dark secret about her family's history.

Sephi's sister, Nana (Nelly Tagar), is a journalist who is already familiar with their father's past, having written an article about his experiences in the Holocaust. Together, the two sisters set out on a journey to find the truth about their family's past, which takes them to Poland in search of answers.

Throughout the course of the film, the sisters encounter a number of individuals who shed light on the mysteries of their family's history. This includes Agnieszka (Katarzyna Gniewkowska), a Polish woman who was a close friend of Limanowski and has information about his relationship with Baruch Milch. They also meet Dr. Milch (Marcel Nagy), a psychologist who specializes in treating Holocaust survivors and has valuable insights into the emotional trauma that Baruch and other family members may be experiencing.

As the sisters inch closer to the truth, they encounter resistance from some family members who would rather leave the past buried. Baruch is particularly resistant to their efforts, feeling that his past is something that should not be brought up, possibly for fear of what may be revealed about his family.

The story is deeply touching, and as the sisters slowly uncover the truth about their father's past, they also come to understand the emotional trauma he and others endured as Holocaust survivors. The film also presents a perspective on the long-standing conflict between Jews and Poles, and how the painful memories of the past continue to impact the relationship between the two groups.

The cinematography in the film is pretty impressive. The scenes are beautifully shot, bringing to life the scenery of Poland and Israel. The film's score is predominantly classical music, which complements the story very well and adds an emotional depth to the scenes.

Overall, Past Life is a thought-provoking and compelling film that explores the impact of individuals' past experiences on their lives and those around them. The characters are well-developed, with the performances of the lead actresses being particularly strong. The story is emotionally charged and brings to light an under-discussed perspective on the Holocaust's impact on individuals and families. For anyone who is interested in exploring the impact of the Holocaust or is looking for a powerful drama, Past Life is a must-watch film.