When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is a 2019 German-Swiss family drama film that was shot in beautiful locations across Europe. Directed by Caroline Link, the film is an adaptation of British author Judith Kerr’s semi-autobiographical 1971 best-selling children’s novel of the same name. A blend of historical events and emotional storytelling, the movie provides an intimate perspective on the impact of political shifts on ordinary people, particularly children.

The story centers around nine-year-old Anna Kemp, played by Riva Krymalowski in a genuinely touching and heartfelt performance. Anna is the eldest daughter in a liberal Jewish family living in 1933 Berlin. Her family is fairly well-off and quite assimilated; they don't practice their faith and are removed from religious traditions. Anna enjoys her childhood in the bustling metropolis, blissfully unaware of the mounting political unrest fueled by Adolf Hitler's rise to power. This political narrative is subtly presented, providing a historical context but not overpowering the more personal family tale.

The film opens as Anna's father, Arthur Kemp - a renowned journalist and author critical of the Nazis - receives a tip-off about Hitler's imminent ascension and the dangers to critics like himself. This compels him to make a heart-wrenching decision: the family must leave Germany immediately, effectively making them refugees overnight. Anna's childhood is abruptly upended as she, along with her mother Dorothea played by Carla Juri and her older brother Max (Marinus Hohmann), have to quickly pack their bags and escape. In the rush of their departure, Anna forgetfully leaves behind her pink stuffed rabbit, symbolically leaving her childhood innocence behind.

Racing ahead of Hitler's rise to power, the Kemps first make their way to Switzerland before journeying through France and finally settling in the UK. Along their journey, they encounter various hardships, testing their resilience and unity as a family. From wealthy Berlin residents to poor immigrants moving from one temporary abode to another, their life is vastly altered. The film brilliantly captures the family's progression, interweaving scenes of despair, hope, and forced maturity, particularly seen through Anna's eyes.

Where the movie shines most is in depicting the theme of refugee life from the perspective of a child. Anna's transition from an innocent and playful girl to a responsible figure coping with adversity forms the emotional centerpiece of the film. Gradually, Anna becomes aware of the seriousness of their situation and the consequence of their refugee status. Her journey towards understanding, adapting, and growing up provides a delicate view into the displacement of innocent souls caused by political turmoil.

Meanwhile, the role of Anna's parents, portrayed by Carla Juri and Oliver Masucci, paint a compelling picture of parental love, sacrifice, and adaptation. Their struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability in the face of uncertainty for their children's sake is both remarkable and poignant.

Calculated yet emotional, the film juxtaposes the innocence of a child against the backdrop of escalating Nazism, culminating in a cinematic experience that balances history with personal narrative. Instead of focusing on the horrors of Nazi Germany, it offers a fresh perspective of those turbulent times through the eyes of a child, eluding traditional tropes of the World War II cinematic landscape.

The film is beautifully shot, with crisp cinematography capturing the scenic beauty and grim hardships of the family's nomadic life. Whether it be the bustling Berlin streets or the calm Swiss landscape, the film manages to transport the audience back to the 1930s Europe with authenticity.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is a unique blend of personal and political, a history lesson wrapped up as a heartfelt narrative. It offers an inside look into an ordinary family's life uprooted because of political events beyond their control. Simultaneously, it is a tale of survival, adaptation, resilience against adversity, and, ultimately, the enduring bonds of family. This emotional, insightful film is sure to resonate with viewers, providing glimpses of a child's view of displacement and exile during one of history's darkest periods.