IT
The protagonists of the journey that means rediscover the places that have marked the history of humanity, due to the Second World War, are three teenagers. The three Israeli high school students set off on a school trip to Poland.
The protagonists of the journey that means rediscover the places that have marked the history of humanity, due to the Second World War, are three teenagers. The three Israeli high school students set off on a school trip to Poland. Upon arriving at the tragically infamous location of the Holocaust, the three young students experience a whirlwind of emotions as they confront the atrocities committed against the Jewish people decades ago.
Their journey abroad delves into the historical aspect, but also into the dynamics of adolescence. Frisch is the typical shy boy still discovering himself; Nizza dreams of becoming a successful artist, and Ido is considered the heartthrob of the school. Spending time together on this trip leads them to contemplate themes such as love, friendship and politics, all while never forgetting what the place they find themselves in means. Witnessing first-hand and walking through the concentration camps becomes an experience that profoundly changes them as young men.
Israeli director Asaf Saban, in his debut feature film, drew inspiration from a personal experience during a school trip to Poland when he was 17 years old. DELEGATION showcases two types of dramas: one linked to history and the other focusing on the small dramas experienced by adolescents. Present in the Sala Truffaut to answer questions from the jurors of the Generator +16 section was Yoav Roeh, one of the two Israeli producers, among the four in total from Germany and Poland. According to the producer, the elderly, especially the character of the grandfather, do not represent survivors of the atrocities committed by the Nazis and fascists. The words he uses to recall those events are based on real testimonies but from other individuals. Interestingly, the actor playing the grandfather also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Schindler’s List.
The co-production between Poland, Germany, and Israel, despite the differences in their cultural backgrounds, provided excellent material to create a significant film that sparks discussions. It was fascinating to observe the diverse reactions of the teenagers, with the blue t-shirts, who make up the Generator +16 jury because, as mentioned in the film, despite being familiar with History and stories, one is never fully prepared to experience something like this first-hand. Visiting these places is not just a journey; it becomes an immersive experience and it is impossible not to be deeply moved.