The Counterfeiters (2007)

7.5/10

A fascinating movie that focuses on a man's desire to live while struggling with morality.

I heard about this movie from my buddy Cleone and fairly enjoyed it. I have been so caught up with other things that I haven't finished blogging about this movie after finishing watching it so many weeks ago...so here it is!

The Counterfeiters is the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. It fictionalizes Operation Bernhard, a secret plan by the Nazis during the Second World War to destabilize Great Britain by flooding its economy with forged Bank of England bank notes(wiki)

The movie focuses on Salomon 'Sally' Sorowitsch, a man with a talent in counterfeiting, hence the title of the movie. The film was largely based on Adolf Burger's memoir, a Jewish Slovak who was imprisoned for creating forged baptismal certificates.

Winning the 2007 academy awards for Best Foreign Film, the cinematography and acting in The Counterfeiters are stunning. I love how Karl Markovics, as Sally,is able to communicate such complicated feelings through such simple facial expression. Markovics keeps a very set expression throughout the film but his eyes tells a different story. This simple technique is so effective in demonstrating Sally's personality as the criminal who's all for himself but at the same time has the want to help others.

The cinematography, like the acting, is simple but conveys a deeper message. Simple panning, angles and camera focus coming together to create some interesting effects. Look for it ;)

Definitely worth watching.