neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Divided We Fall
	Jan Hrebejk Boleslav Polivka, Anna Siskova, Csongor Kassai 2001 Widescreen; in Czech; English subtitles.		You wouldn't expect humor from a film set in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia during the latter part of World War II, so it's startling to find yourself laughing at parts of "Divided We Fall" — an Academy Award nominee for best foreign film that details the struggles of a goodhearted, childless couple sheltering a Jewish friend who escaped from a concentration camp. Holed up in their apartment and holding their tongues, Josef Cizek (Boleslav Polivka) and his wife Marie (Anna Siskova) are in survival mode after the Germans move into town and the most annoying guy on their block becomes a collaborator. The pest has the hots for Marie, and as a result, he's constantly hanging around and offering favors. Then, David (Csongor Kassai), a Jew desperate for a hiding place, shows up at the Cizeks' door. How can Josef protect himself, his wife and David and put himself above suspicion? He takes a job with the Nazis. Leavened by comic bits, this is a touching, worthwhile examination of fear, paranoia and loyalty.