You Love Japan, eh?(PART 2 OF 3)
So, Diane, you enjoyed viewing "The Pianist," didn't you?
Yes, I did ... very much so.
The Pianist
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The Pianist is a 2002 biographical war drama film directed by Roman Polanski, written by Ronald Harwood and starring Adrien Brody.[1] It is an adaptation of Death of a City, a World War II memoir by the Polish-Jewish musician Władysław Szpilman. The film is a co-production between Poland, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
PLOT
In September 1939, Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist, has his radio station rocked from German bombing with Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland and the subsequent outbreak of World War II.
Hoping for a quick victory, Szpilman rejoices with family at home when learning that Britain and France have declared war on Germany, but the German army defeats Poland and captures Warsaw.
Living conditions for the Jews deteriorate, as they are allowed a limited amount of money and later must wear armbands with the Star of David.
By November 1940, they are forced into horrid and humiliating conditions in the Warsaw Ghetto, where Szpilman's family—including his father and mother —witness how the SS raid an opposite apartment and kill everyone there.
Soon the family are rounded up for deportation to Treblinka extermination camp, but Szpilman is saved by a friend in the Jewish Ghetto Police.
Szpilman becomes a slave labourer working on the "Aryan" side, where he survives a random mass execution.
Szpilman learns of a coming Jewish revolt and helps by smuggling weapons into the ghetto, narrowly avoiding a suspicious guard.
He then manages to escape and goes into hiding with help from non-Jewish friend Andrzej Bogucki and his wife Janina.
In April 1943, Szpilman observes the rise and fall of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising from his window near the ghetto wall.
A year goes by and Szpilman is forced to flee after a neighbor discovers him.
In a second hiding place provided to him, he is shown into a room with a piano but forced to keep quiet, and suffers jaundice.
In August 1944, Polish resistance mounts the Warsaw Uprising, attacking a German building across the street from Szpilman's hideout.
A tank shells his apartment and he is forced to flee and hide elsewhere as fighting rages around.
Over the course of the next months the city is destroyed and emptied of the population and Szpilman, entirely alone, searches desperately for shelter and supplies among the ruins.
Eventually, he is discovered by the Wehrmacht officer Wilm Hosenfeld, who learns that Szpilman is a pianist and asks him to play on the grand piano nearby.
The decrepit Szpilman plays Ballade in G minor, which moves Hosenfeld, who then allows Szpilman to hide in the attic of an empty house and regularly brings him food.
As the Germans are forced to retreat due to the advance of the Red Army in January 1945, Hosenfeld meets Szpilman for the last time and promises to listen to him on Polish Radio.
He gives Szpilman his greatcoat to keep warm and leaves, which is almost fatal for Szpilman when he is shot at by Polish troops liberating Warsaw, who apprehend him and realize he is Polish.
An epilogue states that Szpilman died at the age of 88 in 2000, while Hosenfeld died in Soviet captivity in 1952.
SOURCE: "The Pianist (2002 film)"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So, which part of the movie moved you most?
I was really moved to tears when Szpilman played Ballade in G minor.
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How about you, Kato?
Well ... I became terribly sad when I learned that Hosenfeld died in Soviet captivity in 1952.
Me too ... I wish we would see no wars in the future. Anyway, Kato, you're enjoying the peaceful stay in Japan, aren't you?
Yes, I am. I enjoyed the all-Japan firework competition on October 6.
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Fireworks in October?
Yes. The Japanese love fireworks.
So, Kato, you like fireworks, don't you?
Well ... I'd rather prefer foodworks to fireworks.
What do you mean?
I enjoyed the local dish competition more than fireworks.
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Oh, I wish I were with you.
Don't worry, Diane. I'll take the taste of Japan to Vancouver with me.
How do you mean?
You will be able to taste the genuine delicacy of Japan.
You must be kidding.
Well ... just wait and see...
【Himiko's Monologue】
Wow! I wish I could taste as many local dishes as possible at the foodfare.
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Wow! What beautiful and tasteful stuff!
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(To be followed)