Irena’s Vow
Synopsis
Warsaw, 1939: when the Nazis invade Poland, nurse Irena Gut (Sophie Nélisse) is displaced and forced to work in support of the German war effort, eventually assigned to run the home of a Nazi commandant (Dougray Scott). Instead of following the path of least resistance and gambling on her status and ethnicity to keep her safe, Gut risks everything to save a dozen Jewish refugees from persecution and murder, sheltering them under her boss’s nose. With fascism proudly elbowing its way back onto the national stage, it sadly feels urgent and necessary to give this story a dramatic spotlight.
Credits
Director(s)
Louise Archambault
Producer(s)
Beata Pisula, Nicholas Tabarrok, Jeff Sackman, Berry Meyerowitz, Tim Ringuette
Executive Producer(s)
Larry Greenberg, Leah Jaunzems
Script
Dan Gordon
Cinematography
Paul Sarossy
Editor
Arthur Tarnowski
Original Music
Alexandra Stréliski
Cast
Sophie Nélisse, Dougray Scott, Andrzej Seweryn
US Distributor
Quiver Distribution
International Sales Agent
Westend Films
Festival Highlights
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WINNER
Audience Choice - Dramatic FilmRutgers Jewish Film Festival2023 -
WINNER
Audience Choice Award for Best NarrativeBoca Raton JFF2024
Toronto International Film Festival, Canada, Official Selection, 2023
Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada, Official Selection, 2023
Woodstock International Film Festival, USA, Official Selection, 2023
Reviews
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"A story of unfathomable courage."
- SlashFilm
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"Absolutely fascinating. Nélisse is a revelation."
- Film Threat
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"Authentic, brutal, heartrending, and inspiring."
- Reel News Daily
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"IRENA’S VOW is a triumph."
- Reel News Daily
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"Nothing short of remarkable"
- Film Inquiry
