Cert 15
107 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong threat
As with all cinema-goers, there are certain subjects to which I am naturally drawn. In my case, The Holocaust is one of them.
I began to take a keen interest in the genocide of the Jews after visiting the concentration camp at Dachau more than 30 years ago. Comparatively few Jews were interred there but the levels of persecution under Nazi rule were clear.
Over the years, I have visited many Jewish memorial sites, including Auschwitz Birkenau where Son Of Saul is set.
There have been many films about the Final Solution so László Nemes's movie had to offer a different perspective in order for it to stand out.
Thankfully, it does and, consequently, the horrors are as shocking as any movie I have seen on the subject.
Son Of Saul surrounds the life of one Jewish death camp inmate, Saul Auslaender (Géza Röhrig) who is forced to help with the disposal of gas chamber victims.
Obviously, this must have been the most harrowing job but the film portrays Saul carrying out the grimmest of tasks without complaint in order to survive.
However, his resolve to keep his head down is broken when a young boy initially survives the gas chamber.
He convinces himself that the boy is his son and that it is his duty to ensure a proper burial after he is killed by the camp doctor.
The cruelty of the camp is seen not only among the Nazi officers but also within those who are trying to position themselves in the loose hierarchy of the inmates.
But neither bullying, temporary friendships nor common sense can prevent Saul going to dangerous lengths to do what he believes is right.
It is easy to see why Son Of Saul won the Oscar for best foreign language film. It is movie-making at its most compelling.
But I did not rate it among my favourite films of the year because its darkness is so unremitting and I would have wanted to know more of Saul's background in order for me to be really rooting for him.
However, this is an extraordinary performance by Röhrig, given that he is known for being a poet and this is his first feature film as an actor.
Reasons to watch: the realism of the death camp is intense
Reasons to avoid: might be too hard for some stomachs
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Star tweet
Géza Röhrig, at 48, is not your average star. @SonOfSaulfilm is the Hungarian poet's first film:
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