We might be able to produce, write, and direct such stories. We’re currently living in an era where there is a push for authenticity on the screen. Why do so many non-Jewish actors voice the Jewish roles in the film? We’ve seen this unfortunate trend since the beginning of Hollywood. How many of us know who Charlotte Salomon is? Before watching this film, that is. In producing the film, Rosenberg helps to right a tragic wrong. Not under any circumstance! The animation is beautiful and draws on her work–props to producer Julie Rosenberg. The Jewish Historical Museum is currently home to her collection.ĭisney and Pixar get almost the attention in animation but other films manage to fly under the radar. Maybe it will lead to more people seeking out her work. How many of us can say we know Charlotte Salomon’s story? This is certainly my first time hearing about Charlotte and her work. We all know Anne Frank’s story–this just goes without saying. When it comes to both Holocaust victims and survivors, all of their stories are important. I know–another Holocaust film, right? If we do not learn from history, we are going to repeat it. Twenty-six years old and five months pregnant.Įven though this film is intense at times, there is never a shortage of Holocaust content. Unfortunately, the Nazis would deport Charlotte to Auschwitz and murder her on October 10, 1943. You don’t have to worry about casting a teenager before casting someone else as an adult. It works better when it comes to casting. This film spans at least a decade (1933-1943) so it’s for the best that the film is animated. They later get married and move back into the villa. Ultimately, she gives us the first graphic novel in Life? Or Theater? while also falling in love with Alexander. When her grandfather reveals a tragic family history, Charlotte starts painting her life story. Living with her grandparents isn’t easy and tragedy would later strike the family. Nice is not quite the haven that the family needs. Anyway, the attraction to Alexander meant that Charlotte would be moving once again. As we all know, Germany would invade and occupy France in 1940. While living at Ottilie Moore’s (Sophie Okonedo) French villa, both England and France would declare war against Germany. This allows Charlotte to paint in safety. France offers a brief reprieve from Germany’s antisemitic policies for the time being.
Meanwhile, Charlotte moves in with her grandparents, Grosspapa (Jim Broadbent) and Grossmama (Brenda Blethyn) in southern France where she grows an attraction to Alexander Nagler (Sam Claflin). Again, it’s Nazi Germany and Jews are not safe under any means, The Art Academy eventually expels Charlotte just because of being Jewish.Ĭharlotte’s parents, Albert (Eddie Marsan) and Paula (Helen McCrory), reach the conclusion that the family must leave Germany. But sooner than later, things go from already bad to extremely bad.
Not long after this, she falls in love with Alfred Wolfsohn (Mark Strong). Against all odds, Charlotte gets a spot at the prestigious Art Academy in Berlin. Referred to as Lotte by her father and step-mother, she grew up in Berlin with dreams of being an artist. Please stay through the end of the credits.Ĭharlotte Salomon (Keira Knightley in English, Marion Cotillard in French) is a German-Jewish artist with the unfortunate luck of growing up during World War II. Charlotte may be a beautifully animated film but given the setting before and during the Holocaust, this film is emotionally intense.