The two boys are brilliant. The inhumanity of it all grows steadily right until the end. The innocence of Bruno is written is his beautiful blue eyes, as he tries to navigate why his friend, Shmuel, is wearing pyjamas and has a number on his pyjama shirt. He even thinks it must be some kind of game. I was a little puzzled by Shmuel, apparently, not having the number tattooed on his arm. Maybe he did, but in the film, he didn’t mention it.
The propaganda film of the conditions of the camp was staggering and heartbreaking in its attempt to fool those who would be shown it. The difference between the fake manipulation and reality is tragic.
Over the years and learning about the holocaust, and other atrocities around the world, I can never quite wrap my mind around the fact that “there, but for the grace of god, go I”. The thing is, this statement is not something one should look at from one side, because let’s not forget, there were those who not only allowed the atrocities to happen, but agreed with it all and helped carry them out. There are also those in today’s society, who will actually stand up and deny the Holocaust happened or indeed, there are those who are supportive of what happened and would gladly see it happen again. Quite how this type of situation comes about and is actually put into action, is mind blowing. Let’s not forget all those people who suffered in the holocaust and never, ever let it be denied that it happened or forgot that it really did happen. Quite how society can slip into this mindset, let alone think it’s the right thing to do, is truly horrifying.