The 2020 film Waiting for Anya is a historical drama film directed by Ben Cookson and based on the novel of the same name by Michael Morpurgo. It stars Noah Schnapp, Jean Reno, Anjelica Huston, and Thomas Kretschmann.
The film is set in France during World War II and tells the story of Jo (Schnapp), a young shepherd who helps a Jewish widow, Horcada (Huston), to smuggle Jewish children over the Pyrenees mountains into Spain.
Jo is initially reluctant to help Horcada, but he is eventually persuaded by her kindness and courage. He begins to escort the children across the mountains, one by one. The journey is dangerous and perilous, but Jo is determined to help the children reach safety.
Along the way, Jo meets a German officer named Klaus (Kretschmann). Klaus is a complex character who is both sympathetic to the plight of the Jewish children and duty-bound to carry out his orders.
Jo and Klaus develop a strange friendship, and Klaus helps Jo on several occasions. However, their friendship is tested when Jo is caught helping the children escape.
Waiting for Anya is a moving and inspiring film about the power of courage and compassion in the face of hatred and evil. It is a film that will stay with you long after you have seen it.
Here are some of the themes that the film explores:
- The importance of courage and compassion
- The dangers of hatred and intolerance
- The power of friendship
- The resilience of the human spirit
Waiting for Anya is a well-made and well-acted film with a powerful message.
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Cast
- Noah Schnapp as Jo
- Thomas Kretschmann as Nazi Corporal
- Frederick Schmidt as Benjamin
- Tómas Lemarquis as Lieutenant
- Elsa Zylberstein as Jo's mother
- Gilles Marini as Jo's father
- Jean Reno as Henri
- Anjelica Huston as Widow Horcada
- Nicholas Rowe as The Mayor
- Sadie Frost as Madame Jollet
- William Abadie as Father Lasalle
- Urs Rechn as Hans
- Joséphine de La Baume as Mademoiselle Audap
- Jean-François Balmer as Narrator
- Michael Morpurgo as Farmer
- Lukas Sauer (de) as Hans
Director: Ben Cookson
Writers: Toby Torlesse, Ben Cookson
Box Office Gross: $138,950
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Release Date: February 7, 2020