Waiting for Anya

It is 1942 WWII and the Germans have taken control of Northern France. A Jewish man, Benjamin takes his daughter, Anya, to a train station leaving France. But they are seen and he desperately manages to get her onto a bus. He stays behind, barely escaping the Nazis. "We always said if we ever got separated, we would meet at grandma's house" - Benjamin Now in 1943, Nazis arrive in a small mountain village in Southern France were Benjamin is hiding at his mother-in-laws (Horcada), waiting on Anya. "I'm staying until Anya comes" - Benjamin But when a young shepherd boy, Jo, discovers that Horcada is not only hiding Benjamin, but many Jewish children, he decides to help them hide and smuggle the children across the border into Spain. "Some people collect coins, stamps, we collect enemies of the Reich, children. Jewish children" - Horcada Now the entire village is at risk under the rule and punishment of the third Reich... And they must decide whether to surrender to evil or come together to save these children, even if it puts their lives at risk. "To those with secrets, rest assured we will come to your door" - Lt Weissmann Wow! What a wonderful movie and based on a true story. This story is more about courage and compassion (without being preachy) beautifully shot and brilliant acting by the entire cast. Cast - Anjelica Huston, Noah Schnapp, Jean Reno, Frederick Schmidt, Thomas Kretschmann

A very interesting film, well acted and something people should remember, or learn more of what happened by the Nazis in world war 2. Also realize, that almost every soldier was complicit in what happened to theJewish people. This shows that none interfered, even though they were friendly to the villagers

Overall, this film is quite dramatic, touching and at times, suspenseful.  It feels more like a TV mini-series based on the on-screen quality of visuals and soundtrack rather than a huge blockbuster film. Performances are fine; Noah Schnapp and Anjelica Huston deliver the strongest presence out of the entire cast. The film is quite slow during its first and second acts, leading to a more powerful finale.

A warm hearted movie of perseverance!

Terrible. How can a good cast deliver such terrible acting, even more terrible French accents? What should have been a good movie delivered with all the finesse of a bad school play.

Interesting story of a boy growing up in a small Pyrenees mountains village during WW2/Holocaust, accidentally stumbling across a Jew. His life changes from this day forward. Solid performances by screen veterans such as Anjelica Huston, Jean Reno, Thomas Kretschmann and new comer Noah Schnapp in the lead role. Well written story, flows without awkward transitions and solid character development.

Like a partly inaudible episode of 'Allo, 'Allo, the annoying Frenchified English dialogue was harder to follow than actual French would have been - and obscured by incidental noises and overloud, turgid background music. Scenically impressive, though strangely drained of colour in some sequences, overall, it smacked of careless, cheap production values and I abandoned it after about 40 minutes for a good book. English subtitles might have made it bearable and were certainly necessary, given the way that "Benjamin" swallowed the ends of his sentences. All in all, rather grey. Don't bother.

I enjoyed this movie. A Jewish man who evaded the train to death camps, hides in a French village in his mother in law’s house, who is a gentile. They help transport Jewish children over the mountains to safety in Spain. A teen boy steps up to join in the effort. Such a sad part of history. Sacrifices, bravery, the human spirit prevails through hardships most of us will never know.

I want to give them this movie a four out of five stars except for one thing in the writing that ruins the film. I’m not a Jewish man or raised in any the Jewish faith, but the one thing I knew is that if you were Jewish you are not allowed to do anything with pigs not even touch them there’s a verse in the Bible that says it or should I say the tour I’m not sure. :-) It bothers me so much I had to ask the Google if I was right I was pretty confident, but I didn’t know for sure I found out that I was not wrong I don’t know how they manage to get a past Hollywood with this blaring fact. It was one of the only moments you say to yourself come onnn. Apparently, the writers couldn’t do there homework.

Great movie for anyone who loves history,good writing and acting.