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Amen

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Original title

Amen

Year

2002

Running time

132 min.

Country

France

Director

Costa-Gavras

Screenwriter

Costa-Gavras, Jean-Claude Grumberg. Play: Rolf Hochhuth

Cast

Music

Armand Amar

Cinematography

Patrick Blossier

Producer

TF1 Films Production

Genre

Drama | Holocaust. Nazism. II World War

Synopsis

Kurt Gerstein, a brilliant German scientist, is recruited into the SS during the opening years of the Second World War. Assigned as a sanitation engineer, Gerstein is sent to the Eastern Front to supervise water purification for the German Army. Soon after, however, he is asked to help with a "special project" involving fumigation of "vermin infested" areas behind the front lines. Gerstein develops Zyklon-B, a deadly chemical gas which Gerstein believes will be put to use killing rats, lice, and other disease carrying creatures. However, when Gerstein realizes that his invention will be used to kill not animals but people, he begins an emotional search of his Christian values and ultimately decides to betray the SS by attempting to expose the Holocaust by way of informing the Catholic Church.

Rankings Position

#98 Best Movies and TV Series about the Second World War

Awards: 2002: Berlin Film Festival: Official Selection

2002: César awards: Best ScreenPlay. 7 Nominations

2002: European Film Awards: Nominated for Audience Award Best Actor (Tukur)

2002: Festival of Valladolid - Seminci: nominated to Best Picture - Golden Spike.

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Critics' reviews

"In the end 'Amen' is neither as moving nor as illuminating as it should be. It suffers especially when compared with 'The Pianist'"

A. O. Scott: The New York Times
"It's not every day that movies present a Teutonic character in SS uniform as an unambiguously moral hero, so enjoy this rarity. And the film"

Desson Thomson: The Washington Post
"Despite fine performances and the care lavished on the production, 'Amen' is never as emotionally powerful as it should be."

David Stratton: Variety
"An absorbing and compelling account of a historical episode that should be better known"

Jonathan Rosenbaum: Chicago Reader
"Unfortunately, structural flaws and a built-in lack of suspense keep it from being nearly as moving as it was intended to be"

Mick LaSalle: SFGATE
"Costa-Gavras brings to his movie seriousness and high-mindedness, and elicits performances of intelligence and distinction from his cast (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"

Peter Bradshaw: The Guardian

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Ranking Lists Position

64 My Top 10 Movies from 2002 (36)

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Amen

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