JIFF: The Painted Bird

“A monumental piece of work … Marhoul spins a war-torn history into a phantasmagorical horror.” – The Guardian

Based on Jerzy Kosinski's infamous novel, The Painted Bird is a plunge into the darkest corners of the human soul. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård, the film tells the story of a Jewish child, who, after being separated from his persecuted parents, wanders Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe during World War II, meeting senseless violence and inhumane torture along the way. 

Shot in meticulous 35mm black and white, this harrowing drama offers a memorable indictment of the depths of humanity. 

Contains high-impact violence.

Rating

E

Language

Slavic Esperanto, Czech, Russian, German

Cast

Stellan Skarsgård, Harvey Keitel

Director

Václav Marhoul