Red Trees

Red Trees is a poignant and creatively-filmed documentary that was released in 2017. It presents a rich tapestry of one family's saga in the face of the harrowing nightmares of World War II. This documentary takes the viewers on an emotional journey that's both unsettling and immensely evocative.

The film chronicles the journey of the Willer family, who were among the only twelve Jewish families to survive the Nazi occupation in Prague during World War II. The survival of the family is largely attributed to the patriarch of the Willer family, Alfred Willer. The film’s narration by Willer gives audiences an intimate look into the almost-extinct memories that are whispered beneath the cacophonous ambiance of the past.

Alfred, the narrator of the story, was too young to remember everything when tragedy struck his family and other members of his community, so his narration is based on the stories passed down by the people who were old enough to remember. This allows the film to have a more personal and intimate feel as Alfred relays the tales of his father's ingenuity and resourcefulness to the audience. His voice-over delivers a captivating and emotional narration, perfect for a documentary of this nature.

In his narrations, Alfred speaks of his father’s passion for color, nature, and architecture which is used as a memoir to convey the family’s past. His father, a successful chemical engineer, became indispensable to the Nazis because of his innovation in producing dyes. His resourcefulness and skills were life-saving, allowing for their survival. It's not an action-packed war story, but a story about the persistence and resilience of humanity even in the darkest of times.

Red Trees is not merely a story of survival, but serves as a poignant reminder of the human spirit and the strength it can exhibit under the most trying circumstances. Filmmaker Marina Willer achieves an impressive cohesion between the historical tale of Nazi-occupied Prague and the account of her family's survival.

British actor Tim Pigott-Smith lends his voice for the narration. His delivery is packed with a calm intensity, grounding the documentary with an emotional anchor. Even though he speaks the words of Marina Willer, it feels as if the narrative unfolds in real-time, as the observations about art, war, and the resilience of the human spirit all feel like they are coming straight from Alfred's heart.

Flora Fanelli appears as herself, sharing her own personal connection to the Willer family. Her role adds another dimension to the documentary, giving viewers a glimpse into what the experience was really like for those living it. Her personal insights further enrich the narrative and bring an authenticity that resonates with viewers.

The rich cinematography of Red Trees captures the beautiful aesthetics of the landscape, symbolizing the significance of color and nature in the Willer family’s life. The contrasting imagery of the lush countryside against the encroachment of brutal war forces viewers to question the senselessness of violence and the beauty of survival.

The film is also an exploration of identity and the immigrant experience. It looks at their journey to Brazil after the war and their struggles and adaptations, which are well depicted in the film by showcasing their challenges and changes in a new environment.

The duality of beauty and violence, the clash of two very different worlds, and the transition from a state of comfort to a state of terror are all well displayed in this documentary. Thus, it isn’t your conventional war documentary but an exceptional, poetic memoir that crosses over the boundaries of a visual document into the realm of fine art.

Red Trees is a piece about war, but one that focuses on the survivors and their perspective rather than just the conflict. Throughout the film, the lively spirit of the Willer family shines through - the heart full of color, the love for life and existence. Even in the face of grim realities, they managed to hold on to their humanity, appreciating the beauty of the world around them. This serves as a hopeful note that beauty and kindness can exist even in the midst of horrendous circumstances.

The film, overall, is a reflection of the human spirit that survived and thrived during the hardest of times. It serves as a testament to individuals' remarkable resilience and ability to adapt, endure and eventually, overcome. Red Trees, therefore, is more than just a World War II documentary. It's an ode to human spirit, loyalty, family, and the will to survive against all odds.