Run Boy Run

Released 5th November 2013, Run Boy Run follows eight year old Hebrew, Srulik Frydman, as he lives on the run during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Despite the horrid atmosphere of the Hebrew persecution under the gauze of Hitler’s Nazi regime, the film often depicts positive experiences and interactions. Whilst this can be jarring early on in the film, you come to realise that this child protagonist is likely to highlight these details through an innocent scope; remember that he is eight.

Srulik Frydman, or as he starts to call himself, Jurek Staniak is portrayed by Andrzej Tkacz and he does a tremendous job in conveying Srulik’s innocent enthusiasm and harrowing pain when required of him. He carries the narrative from start to finish with no moments of weakness; a very impressive performance for his age. Besides Srulik, there are many other characters; Magda Janczyk being one of them. Elisabeth Duda gives Magda a maternal aura which the script directs towards Srulik; she does this with ease while also inserting the prominent theme of religion and subsequent allegiances to the several Srulik is exposed to. Everyone else do a great job with their unique reactions to a Hebrew within the social atmosphere present. Even Rainer Bock’s SS officer is conveyed with a seeming laissez-faire attitude towards Nazi protocols and ideals; that it is simply a job for him.

Whilst not obvious, there are extremely well implemented visual effects from the second act onwards which are onerous to notice. Stéphane Moucha’s soundtrack is not overtly memorable, however, it does a splendid job in underscoring the scenes it is assigned to. Whether it be channelling Srulik’s innocence, or the Nazis’ barbarity, it is flawless throughout; simply lacking any iconicity. Overall, Run Boy Run is a superb war drama which highlights a generally unexplored aspect of Hebrew adaptation to Nazi oppression.