The Optimist: The Bravest Act Is Truth

2023

Drama

2
IMDb Rating 6.5/10 10 260 260

Plot summary

Herbert Heller keeps his experience as a teenage boy surviving in Auschwitz hidden from his family. Until he meets Abby, a young teenager whose own brush with pain and death inspires him to open up as well, leading the two of them to exchange their stories as a meaningful and healing friendship is born.

Director

Finn Taylor Photo
Finn Taylor

Top cast

Stephen Lang Photo
Stephen Lang as Herbert Heller
Stella Stocker Photo
Stella Stocker as Herbert's Mother
Robin Weigert Photo
Robin Weigert as Ruth
Stephanie Heiner Photo
Stephanie Heiner as Linda
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
940.96 MB
1280*640
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us   cz   pl   ro  
23.976 fps
1 hr 42 min
Seeds 5
1.89 GB
1920*960
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us   cz   pl   ro  
23.976 fps
1 hr 42 min
Seeds 28

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by waitebt 10 / 10

Amazing!!!

I am so happy I got to see this wonderful movie at a local film festival. The movie is a unique and personal perspective on the Holocaust through the eyes of a survivor who kept his experience a secret for fifty years. It is extremely powerful without being heavy handed. I went with my 14 year old daughter and it was appropriate and educational for her and led to curiosity and discussion for our entire family. Given the state of the world today this movie is extremely timely. By focusing on one individual's story, as opposed to WWII or the Holocaust generally, the film has a deeply intimate feel which makes it extremely special.
Reviewed by richardgoldwasser 10 / 10

Avenue of the Giants

Such a well done, touching and inspiring story. Meaningful for all viewers, young or old, of any faith or not, with a hopeful message based upon the lives of real people forced to deal with overwhelming challenges.It is an uplifting movie, which also reminds us of the goodness of people, even in the face of inhumanity.The acting is straightforward, if anything understated, with clear dialogue that rings true.Filmed in Northern California, including the redwood forest, as well as Czechoslovakia and the World War II concentration camps, it is visually understated and beautiful at the same time.
Reviewed by bmerinomv 10 / 10

Tribute to a great man

I knew Herbert Heller as a quiet gentle man who owned the store where I bought most of my children's clothes. This well-crafted and well-acted movie revealed his secrets in a compelling way. I would urge everyone who wants to see a different kind of Holocaust movie that ends with hope, to see this one as soon as it's available. I didn't realize that many of the contemporary scenes in the movie were shot in Marin, in a small town with big redwood trees everywhere. Local landmarks are somewhat recognizable, although I have yet to locate the awesome redwood trees where several scenes take place. Then there are the sights in Europe, some of which were also, sadly, familiar. The difficult scenes in the movie seemed essential to the story and not gratuitous. Sadly, the ill treatment of some humans by others has not yet abated in our world. Maybe this movie will restore some humanity in our world.
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