Mariana's Room
2025
Drama / History
2h11
Ajay Tembo rated ★ 9/10
Synopsis
In the darkest days of the Second World War, Yulia and Hugo, a Jewish mother and son, escape from a Ukrainian ghetto. Fearing for his safety, Yulia entrusts her boy to the care of her friend Mariana, a sex worker who lives in a brothel. Hugo is placed in a closet, nominally for his safety, but from which he rarely leaves. With little view of the outside world, he conjures up ghosts and scenarios. But over time, Mariana brings the boy out and in doing so transforms his life.
Community Reviews
Viewers are deeply moved by 'Mariana's Room', praising Mélanie Thierry's intense performance and the film's poignant depiction of a young boy's wartime survival in a brothel. The film's adaptation of Aharon Appelfeld's novel is noted for its bold and evocative storytelling, capturing the horrors of the Holocaust with sensitivity. However, some found the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally unsettling, particularly regarding the complex relationship between the boy and Mariana.
👍 Mélanie Thierry's performance is profoundly impactful.
👎 Some viewers found the pacing slow and themes disturbing.
