By Eileen Wingard
SAN DIEGO — Wunderkinder is a German film filled with wonder, beauty and brutality. It takes place in Poltava, Ukraine. It is in German with English titles. The story unfolds as flashbacks from the recollections of an elderly woman, the violin pedegogue, Hanna Reich. An unexpected visit from a strange man jogs her memory. She relates her story to her granddaughter.
That story begins with two Jewish prodigies, violinist Abrasha Kaplan and pianist Larissa Brodsky on stage, performing Sarasate’s virtuosic Zegeunerweisen for a rapt audience. The German brewery owner, Max Reich, his wife and young daughter, Hanna, are among the listeners. Next day, Hanna, a violin student herself, approaches the two Jewish youngsters, asking to play with them, not games, but music. At first Abrasha and Larissa rebuff Hanna’s advances. But when she convinces her parents to allow her to study with the same Jewish music teacher who teaches the two young prodigies, Hanna ends up making music with them and all three become fast friends.
Their idyllic childhood comes to an abrupt end when the Germans invade Russia, breaking the non-aggression pact which Hitler and Stalin had made. Unexpected quirks of fate result in the Jewish families helping to protect the German family from the angry Russians. Later, with German forces advancing into the Ukraine, the German family tries to help the Jewish families.
This is an important movie showing how World War II touched the lives of Russians, Jews and Germans living in the Ukraine, how all suffered greatly from the ravages of war, and how the friendship of children brought them all together.
The acting in this German film is outstanding. Particularly convincing was the Nazi officer with his great love for beauty and culture contrasted with his deep hatred for Jews. The three youngsters portray their characters with mature insight.
The excellent photography was most memorable in scenes of the countryside’s natural beauty.
Music for the film was provided by the Slovak National Symphony under the direction of Peter Fuchs.
Wunderkinder is a moving, inspiring film, and features wonderful child actors. However, the scenes of death and destruction make it inappropriate for children younger than teenagers.
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Wingard is a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony and a freelance writer. She may be contacted at eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com