The Devil's Arithmetic

The Devil's Arithmetic is a heart-wrenching and intense drama film from 1999, directed by Donna Deitch and produced by Dustin Hoffman. The movie stars Kirsten Dunst, Brittany Murphy, and Paul Freeman, and is based on the novel of the same name written by Jane Yolen. The film tells the story of a young Jewish-American girl named Hannah Stern, played brilliantly by Kirsten Dunst, who is transported back in time to Poland in 1941 during the Holocaust.

At the start of the movie, we see a teenage Hannah living in Brooklyn, New York, with her parents and her little brother. She leads a typical American life, and her only connection to her Jewish heritage is her Grandma Belle, who is a Holocaust survivor. However, Hannah feels disconnected from her roots and gets bored at her family's Passover Seder dinner. She wishes for something exciting to happen, and her wish is granted in the most unexpected way possible.

Suddenly, Hannah is transported back in time and finds herself trapped in a crowded cattle car, heading towards a concentration camp. She is in complete shock and cannot comprehend how she got there. Hannah is forced to endure the harsh conditions of the camp, including the brutal mistreatment and starvation. She is taken to a slave labor camp, where she meets a group of young girls who are also prisoners. Hannah quickly forms a bond with them, and they help her survive in this terrible situation.

One day, Hannah is selected to read the names of new arriving prisoners, and she recognizes one of the names - Rivkah - as her own Hebrew name. Rivkah turns out to be her Aunt, whom she never met before. Hannah is overjoyed to see family, but she soon realizes the harsh reality of the gas chamber. She witnesses her aunt and other prisoners being executed, which has a profound effect on her.

Throughout the movie, we see flashbacks to Brooklyn, where Hannah tries to tell her mother and grandma about the horrors she has experienced. However, they cannot comprehend what she is saying, and they think that she is making it all up. This adds to her trauma and reinforces the idea that nobody truly understands what she has been through. Hannah starts to learn more about her Jewish heritage and realizes the importance of her family's traditions.

As the war comes to an end, Hannah is finally released from the camp and reunited with her family. The experience she had completely changes her, and she gains a newfound appreciation for her heritage and the importance of living in the present. The Devil's Arithmetic is a powerful and emotional movie that takes viewers on a journey through the horror of the Holocaust. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never forgetting the atrocities of the past. The acting is powerful, especially Kirsten Dunst, who gives an incredible performance as Hannah. The cinematography adds to the realism of the movie, and the pacing keeps viewers engaged throughout. Overall, The Devil's Arithmetic is a must-see film that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it.