Movies: Mariana's Room (2025) by Emmanuel Finkiel: A Haunting Look at Survival and Humanity Through a Child's Eyes

A World War II Drama of Unlikely Bonds

La chambre de Mariana (Mariana's Room) is a powerful French-language drama directed by Emmanuel Finkiel, known for his nuanced films about the Holocaust like Voyages and Memoir of War. The film is an adaptation of Aharon Appelfeld's novel Blooms of Darkness, and it tells the story of an 11-year-old Jewish boy, Hugo, who is entrusted to the care of Mariana, a sex worker living in a brothel in a Ukrainian town during World War II. Hidden in a closet, Hugo's world is confined, but from his limited vantage point, he witnesses both the cruelty and the kindness of humanity. The film has been praised for its sensitive and frank portrayal of a complex situation, with Mélanie Thierry delivering a stunning performance as Mariana.

Why to watch this movie: An Intimate and Profound Look at the Holocaust

• A Unique Perspective on WWII: The film avoids grand-scale war scenes and instead focuses on the intimate, claustrophobic experience of a child in hiding. It presents the Holocaust through the fragmented, surreal viewpoint of a boy in a closet, making the horror both deeply personal and universally resonant.

• A Gripping Story of an Unlikely Bond: The heart of the film is the intense and complex relationship that develops between Hugo and Mariana. Their bond, born out of desperation and fear, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

• Masterful Direction and Performances: Emmanuel Finkiel's direction is acclaimed for its emotional intensity and subtlety. Mélanie Thierry's performance as the complicated and compassionate Mariana is a standout, and the young newcomer Artem Kyryk delivers a powerful portrayal of the boy, Hugo.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/marianas-room (France)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26656750/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/476592/

About movie: https://westendfilms.com/programme/marianas-room

What Trend is followed? The "Witness Cinema" of the Holocaust

The film follows a trend in cinema, particularly in European cinema, of what might be called "witness cinema" when it comes to the Holocaust. These films don't try to show the full scope of the tragedy, but instead, they focus on a single, isolated perspective, often that of a child, to convey the emotional and psychological weight of the events.

• Focus on a Microcosm of War: By setting the entire film within the confines of a brothel and a single room, the film creates a microcosm of a larger world at war. This isolation intensifies the drama and the characters' struggles.

• Non-Sensationalized Portrayal: The film avoids graphic violence and instead relies on atmosphere, sound, and the characters' internal struggles to create a sense of terror and dread.

Director's Vision: The Child's Gaze on the Unspeakable

Emmanuel Finkiel's vision for La chambre de Mariana is to explore the Holocaust not as a historical event but as a lived, immediate, and often baffling experience from a child's perspective. He aims to capture the emotional reality and psychological impact of being a witness to unspeakable cruelty, while also showing the capacity for profound human connection.

• Artistic and Non-Naturalistic Style: Finkiel's direction is a deliberate choice to move away from naturalism. He uses the child's imagination and fragmented memories to shape the narrative, creating a dreamlike, yet terrifying, quality to the film.

• Tackling Difficult Themes with Sensitivity: The film navigates the sensitive subject matter of a child in a brothel with a focus on emotional authenticity and the development of the characters' relationships, without exploiting the setting for shock value.

Themes: Innocence, Survival, and The Paradox of Cruelty

The film delves into deep and complex themes that are central to its narrative and emotional power.

• The Loss of Innocence: Hugo is forced to confront a world of brutality, sexuality, and moral ambiguity at a very young age. His journey is one of a child grappling with concepts far beyond his years.

• Survival vs. Humanity: The film explores the difficult choices people make to survive, and how those choices can test the boundaries of human decency. It also shows the acts of kindness that can exist even in the darkest of times.

• Duality of Human Nature: By setting the story in a brothel, the film explores the paradox of human nature—the co-existence of selfless love and exploitation, cruelty and compassion.

Key success factors: Emotional Intensity and Acclaimed Acting

The film's success is rooted in its ability to create a compelling and emotionally charged story with a limited physical setting.

• Exceptional Acting: The performances of Mélanie Thierry and young Artem Kyryk are central to the film's success. Their ability to convey a wide range of complex emotions in a confined space is a testament to their talent.

• Psychological Tension: The film builds suspense through psychological tension rather than action. The constant threat of discovery combined with the emotional turmoil of the characters creates a captivating narrative.

• Literary Adaptation: The film's basis on a celebrated novel gives it a rich, multilayered narrative and a strong foundation for character development.

Awards and Nominations: A Festival Circuit Highlight

The film has been a highlight of the film festival circuit, premiering at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. While not yet a major award winner, its selection for prestigious festivals and the positive critical reviews suggest a strong performance in the independent film world.

Critics reception: A Poetic and Profound Drama

• Cineuropa: This review praises the film as a "captivating artistic feat" that "shuns naturalism and flirts simultaneously with the fairy tale and historical forms." It notes that Finkiel's direction is "singular" and that Mélanie Thierry delivers a "remarkable" performance.

• IFFR (International Film Festival Rotterdam): The festival's description calls the film a "potent Ukrainian-set Second World War drama" and a "frank portrait of conflict seen from a child's perspective." It highlights the film's intense focus on the intimate relationship between Hugo and Mariana.

• Overall Summary: The critical reception is overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers commending the film's unique approach to a difficult subject. It is seen as a poetic and profound work that uses an intimate story to explore universal themes of survival, memory, and human connection.

Reviews: A Masterful and Moving Experience

• Cineuropa: The review emphasizes the emotional authenticity of the film, praising the way it "delves into the world of survival and life and death instincts through the eyes of a child." It also highlights the "solid and affectionate relationship" forged between the two main characters.

• Overall Summary: The reviews consistently praise the film for its emotional depth and its ability to create a powerful story from a seemingly simple premise. It is considered a must-watch for those who appreciate serious, character-driven dramas and a sensitive look at a tragic period in history.

Movie Trend: Holocaust Films Beyond the Camps

The film is part of a trend of Holocaust films that expand the narrative beyond the traditional concentration camp setting. These films focus on the experiences of people in hiding, in ghettos, or in other parts of occupied Europe, offering a broader and more diverse look at the human experience during that period.

Social Trend: The Power of Storytelling as Witness

The film aligns with a social trend that values personal testimony and storytelling as a way to bear witness to historical events. By adapting a novel based on a real person's experience, the film honors the importance of individual stories in preserving history and fostering empathy.

Final Verdict: A Beautiful, Haunting, and Profound Film

La chambre de Mariana is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant film. It is a work of deep artistic and historical importance that uses a small, personal story to speak to the largest of human themes. It is a powerful, haunting, and unforgettable film that is highly recommended.