Irena’s Vow

  • Canada, Poland
  • Feature
  • 2023
  • 121 min.
  • Director(s): Louise Archambault
  • Producer(s): Beata Pisula, Nicholas Tabarrok, Jeff Sackman, Berry Meyerowitz, Tim Ringuette

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.

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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

  • WINNER

    Audience Choice - Dramatic Film
    Rutgers Jewish Film Festival
    2023
  • WINNER

    Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative
    Boca Raton JFF
    2024

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

  • "A story of unfathomable courage."
    - SlashFilm
  • "Absolutely fascinating. Nélisse is a revelation."
    - Film Threat
  • "Authentic, brutal, heartrending, and inspiring."
    - Reel News Daily
  • "IRENA’S VOW is a triumph."
    - Reel News Daily
  • "Nothing short of remarkable"
    - Film Inquiry