Sunshine, a rare film of sweeping ambition and creativity, is a true epic. It is directed by the Academy Award®-winning Hungarian master, István Szabó, one of the foremost filmmakers of the postwar period. The entire 20th century is the backdrop for this elegantly told, deeply moving account of the fortunes of a Jewish family as its members try to survive in a world undergoing massive changes. Three generations of one Hungarian family pass through this eloquent film, and Ralph Fiennes plays a different role in each generation, proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is one of the finest actors currently working in the cinema.
We view this tumultuous century through the eyes of the Sonnenschein family. Ignatz grows up in a Hungary ruled by the Austro-Hungarian empire. A powerful judge favoured by the authorities, he must balance his professional responsibilities with his overwhelming love for his first cousin, a woman he is determined to marry.
Ignatz's son moves the story forward into the Nazi years. A world-class fencer who represents his country during the 1936 Olympics, Adam finds that recognition as a sportsman carries little weight when anti-Semitic policies are introduced by the conquering Nazis. And, finally, his son Ivan is part of the generation forced to deal with the postwar Communist legacy.
What makes Sunshine such a moving and powerful experience is the intimacy of the stories told and the sheer vitality of the personalities explored. Szabó and his magnificent international cast transport us back through the events that shaped this century. However, they never lose sight of the personal details that shape the legacy of this resilient family. The Sonnenscheins must endure hardship and suffering before finally emerging into the safety of the present. Despite the tragedy of 20th century Jewry, this is a heroic film of redemptive power.
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