10 Movies & Shows Like Berenshtein (2021)

Description: A powerful portrayal of one man's efforts to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust, highlighting themes of morality, sacrifice, and the impact of individual actions in the face of genocide.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white to reflect the historical period and to give it a documentary-like feel. The girl in the red coat is one of the few instances of color in the film, symbolizing innocence amidst horror.

Description: This movie depicts the harrowing survival story of a Jewish pianist in Warsaw during the Holocaust. It emphasizes personal survival, the brutality of war, and the unexpected kindness of strangers.

Fact: The film is based on the autobiography of Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist. Roman Polanski, the director, is a Holocaust survivor himself, which adds a deeply personal layer to the storytelling.

Description: A fictional revenge story set during World War II, blending historical events with alternate history. It explores themes of vengeance, resistance, and the moral ambiguities of war.

Fact: The film's title is intentionally misspelled, a nod to the 1978 Italian film 'The Inglorious Bastards.' Quentin Tarantino rewrote the ending of World War II for the film, creating a cathartic, albeit fictional, resolution.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows Jewish prisoners forced to counterfeit currency for the Nazis. It delves into moral dilemmas, survival strategies, and the psychological toll of collaboration under duress.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The real Operation Bernhard was the largest counterfeiting operation in history, aimed at destabilizing the British and American economies.

Description: Set in Nazi Germany, this film follows a young girl who finds solace in books and helps hide a Jewish man in her foster family's basement. It explores themes of innocence, loss, and the power of storytelling.

Fact: The film is based on the bestselling novel by Markus Zusak, which is narrated by Death. The story provides a unique perspective on the Holocaust through the eyes of a child.

Description: A poignant story of an unlikely friendship between the son of a Nazi officer and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. The film highlights innocence, ignorance, and the devastating consequences of hatred.

Fact: The film's ending is one of the most heartbreaking in Holocaust cinema, leaving a lasting impact on audiences. The story is fictional but serves as a powerful allegory for the horrors of the Holocaust.

Description: The film explores the resilience and resistance of Jewish people during World War II, focusing on a group of partisans who survive in the forests of Belarus. It shares themes of survival, defiance against oppression, and the human spirit's endurance.

Fact: The story is based on the real-life Bielski partisans, one of the most significant Jewish resistance efforts during the war. The film was shot in Lithuania, near the actual locations where the events took place.

Description: This film tells the true story of a couple who used their zoo to shelter Jews during the Nazi occupation of Poland. It highlights courage, compassion, and the lengths people went to protect others.

Fact: The real-life Warsaw Zoo was indeed used as a hiding place for Jews during the war. The film's portrayal of the zoo's transformation into a sanctuary is based on meticulous historical research.

Description: A harrowing depiction of life in Auschwitz, focusing on a Sonderkommando worker's quest to give a child a proper burial. The film's intense, close-up perspective immerses viewers in the protagonist's psychological and emotional struggle.

Fact: The film uses a 4:3 aspect ratio and shallow focus to create a claustrophobic, immersive experience. It won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Description: A gripping account of the Sobibor uprising, one of the few successful revolts in a Nazi extermination camp. The film focuses on resistance, leadership, and the fight for dignity in the face of certain death.

Fact: The uprising at Sobibor was led by Alexander Pechersky, a Soviet Jewish prisoner of war. The film was released to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the uprising.