Tel Aviv – An elderly man in Tel Aviv recently received astonishing news: a childhood friend, long presumed lost during World War II, is still alive. This revelation prompts Ilya to recount his harrowing experiences during the war to his grandsons for the first time, a story of survival and reunion that unfolds against a backdrop of unimaginable tragedy.
A Sentimental Journey Through Trauma
The Israeli-Belarusian co-production “Stork of Hope” explores themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring power of family amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.
What was the fate of Ilya’s father during the war? Ilya’s father went off to fight on the front lines at the start of the war and was never seen again.
The film opens with desaturated cinematography, transporting viewers to Minsk as young Ilya (Andrey Davidyuk) and his little brother Sasha navigate the onset of war with their parents. The family’s life is irrevocably shattered as they are rounded up by Nazi forces, represented by a single German actor (Jean-Marc Birkholz) who repeatedly appears as a symbol of oppression. Some have noted the production’s limited use of actors portraying German soldiers, suggesting budgetary constraints, while others interpret it as a commentary on the uniformity of evil.
Following a period in a concentration camp for children, Ilya is separated from his brother and finds refuge with a Belarusian couple who have lost their own son. Despite the immense risk, they shelter Ilya and treat him as their own, gifting him a hand-carved wooden stork with the promise he will deliver it to Sasha one day.
A Questionable Portrayal of Belarus
While the film depicts acts of kindness from some Belarusians, it largely presents an idealized and historically inaccurate portrayal of the region during the war. Instances of collaboration with the Nazis and actions by Soviet partisans are briefly acknowledged, but the film overwhelmingly emphasizes the willingness of ordinary Belarusians to help Jewish children, even at great personal risk. Elderly Ilya’s voiceover even states, “But even knowing the consequences, none of the locals refused [to help hide people].”
This romanticized depiction has drawn criticism, particularly given Belarus’s current alliance with Russia. The film’s nationalist self-soothing feels particularly jarring in the present geopolitical context.
- “Stork of Hope” centers on Ilya’s wartime experiences and his eventual reunion with a childhood friend.
- The film utilizes flashbacks and desaturated cinematography to depict the horrors of the Holocaust.
- The portrayal of Belarusians as overwhelmingly benevolent has been criticized as historically inaccurate and politically sensitive.
- The film explores themes of family, resilience, and the enduring impact of trauma.
“Stork of Hope” is scheduled for release on digital platforms on January 5.
