In Darkness enthrals

A film entitled In Darkness can really be only one of two things: either a Dreamworks kiddie flick about the late-night misadventures of CGI raccoons and possums or it could be a beautifully crafted, but harrowing real-life story about a group of Jews fleeing from certain death via the sewers of a Nazi-occupied Polish city.  Given that In Darkness was one of five nominees for best picture in a foreign language at the 2012 Academy Awards, it’d be best to look elsewhere for light-hearted, family-friendly fare.

In Darkness illustrates the plight of Jewish Holocaust survivors who, thanks in large to Polish sewage worker Leopold “Poldek” Socha, took to the sewers beneath the city for 14 months in an attempt to save their lives. Based on Robert Marshall’s “In the Sewers of Lvov”, a compilation of stories from survivors the film depicts, the film is expectedly dark in both content and presentation.  Director Agnieszka Holland wisely skips establishing the threat of Nazi Germany beyond a handful of incidents directly plot related.  Instead the most immediately threatening presence is that of Ukrainian commander Bortnik (Michal Zurawski), who happens to be an old friend of Poldek (here played to perfection by Robert Wieckiewicz).  The realities of horrors faced by persecuted Jews and anyone ending up on the wrong side of the Third Reich are ever-present as In Darkness portrays this incredible struggle for survival.

While a superb slice of foreign cinema, In Darkness isn’t exactly an enjoyable watch.  Between the shaky hand-held camera and the claustrophobic confines of the sewers, the stage is set for an uneasy experience even before the chilling inhumanity of the material is factored in.  This is all deliberate of course, and the results are masterfully effective.  The jumpy camera work feels entirely natural, even if it may test those with strong constitutions.  Often panning from the subterranean depths to the streets above and cutting quickly from the dark torch lit tunnels to the bright winter days, In Darkness will leave viewers with an idea of what it must have been like for Leopold and the refugees as they leave one level for the other. All that’s missing is the fear of death and the stench.

Though much of this film focuses on the character of Poldek and his transition from greedy, petty thief to brave hero, that’s not to say that the frighten and desperate absconders are restrained to the background.  Quite the contrary as many of them are well-round characters in their own right, with their own personal struggles.  If there’s a minor detraction here, it’s in the handling of Chaja (Julia Kijowska), the mistress of a fellow escapee, as her potentially intriguing character is sadly one-dimensional.  On the whole, In Darkness manages its large cast of characters well; including the effect Poldek’s decisions have on his family.  That one of the film’s finest scenes takes place in the Sochas’ home when Bortnik pays an unexpected late-night visit, speaks to how well-balanced the plot is.

Despite often being unpleasant to watch, In Darkness is an expertly made, gripping true tale of survival.  It avoids the typical Hollywood clichés that manipulate the emotions, as the power of the stories and the performances behind them are what make In Darkness a distressing and moving experience.  There’s certainly no shame in being beaten by A Separation for an Oscar, but in any other year In Darkness would be an easy frontrunner.  It may be a difficult film, but In Darkness is a genuine cinematic treat as well. 9.5/10

In Darkness is in UK cinemas from 16 March