Lore

108 minutes

AUSTRALIA

Left to fend for themselves after their SS officer father and mother, a staunch Nazi believer, are interred by the victorious Allies at the end of World War II, five German children undertake a harrowing journey that exposes them to the reality and consequences of their parents' actions. Led by the eldest sibling, 14-year old Lore (striking newcomer Saskia Rosendahl), they set out on a harrowing journey across a devastated country to reach their grandmother in the north. After meeting the charismatic Thomas, a mysterious young refugee, Lore soon finds her world shattered by feelings of both hatred and desire as she must learn to trust the one person she has always been taught to hate in order to survive.

85% on the CINEMETER

81% - Feb 17, 2013

An interesting and powerful film, but I can safely say that I don't care about Nazi children.
Washington, DC Member

Intense Modern Grimm's Fairy Tale. Right Now I could use a shot of schnapps
Washington, DC Member

Hard to watch, but an excellent portrayal of a change in a young girl's world view.
Washington, DC Member

STL

77% - Feb 24, 2013

Powerful, disturbing, thought-provoking. Saskia Rosendahl is superb. Cate Shortland avoids easy stereotypes or pat answers to complex moral dilemmas.
St. Louis Member

I felt this film was a profound portrayal of how easily and tenanciously people can believe and cling to lies that perpetuate a false sense of security.
St. Louis Member

Excellent movie from a perspective that is not often shown.
St. Louis Member

85% - Feb 10, 2013

A fresh, unique take on the consequences of the Holocaust. The film describes the essence and complexity of the situation through story, images and symbolism but WITHOUT having the characters explicitly discuss it.
San Francisco Member

Almost a fairy tale in the Brothers Grimm style, with children traveling through the forest and encountering many perils on the way to grandmother's house.
San Francisco Member

Too many scary houses and close-ups of feet. Too damn long.
San Francisco Member

94% - Feb 17, 2013

Lush and terribly stark at the same time. When does the war truly end? Surely not when the last bullet has been fired on the battlefield. Haunting, masterful control of images.
Greater New Haven Member

A powerful film of survival and family -- and a raw glimpse of the devastation of war. Surprisingly, I found great beauty in this horror, partly due to the wonderful camerawork (angles, composition, lighting, etc.)
Greater New Haven Member

I felt like I did not breathe throughout this riveting movie. It was so masterfully done that I felt like I was on the journey with these characters.
Greater New Haven Member

MIL

90% - Mar 10, 2013

Intense, visceral film dealing with base human needs mixed with conflicting allegiances. Outstanding!
Milwaukee Member

Beautiful use of color and light. It seemed like an unusually quiet movie. Not a lot of music and I think it gave a calming effect.
Milwaukee Member

Fantastic film. Maybe the best we have seen.
Milwaukee Member

BOCA

73% - Feb 17, 2013

Harrowing and hard to watch, but an interesting story about an aspect of WWII I was not aware of.
Boca Raton Member

Difficult to see but very worthwhile.
Boca Raton Member

I found it too graphic and slow moving.
Boca Raton Member

ATL

97% - Feb 24, 2013

A visually poetic film that left me in despair. One of the few films that I can say has actually changed me.
Atlanta Member

Extremely captivating and immersive. Great use of tight framing and beautiful cinematography that a afforded a poetic graceful quality to a horrible situation.
Atlanta Member

Transformative. Unflinching look at humanity.
Atlanta Member

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