WAITING FOR ANYA: A Soft, Strong Narrative On Humanity
As the old adage goes, “never judge a book by its cover.” Initially, Waiting for Anya is an unassuming piece that seems to tread the same well-worn path as other World War II films. However, in that inconspicuous package is an absolutely lovely surprise. Waiting for Anya is so beautifully put together and so emotionally executed that it hits you like a gust on a windy day. A truly unexpected, but excellent pleasure.
Waiting for Anya is adapted from the novel by the same name, written by War Horse author Michael Morpurgo. The film follows a young shepherd boy named Jo, played by Noah Schnapp (Stranger Things), who helps a reclusive village widow smuggle Jewish children out of Nazi-occupied France into the safety of Spain. The film also stars Anjelica Huston (The Witches, The Addams Family) and Jean Reno. Waiting for Anya is helmed by writer and director Ben Cookson.
“A Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life for His Sheep”
At its core, Waiting for Anya is an exploration of humanity. It is about a young boy’s search for dignity and purpose, and his finding incredible courage along the way. There are some experiences that speak to the very core of our selves. These are the moments when we are braver than we ever imagined and driven by the understanding that our humanity and the humanity of others is worth dying for.
“A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Within this line lies the thesis statement of the entire film. Our young Jo learns this lesson and it is what helps him to grow from a frightened child to a young man with dignity and great bravery.
Waiting for Anya deftly treads the thin lines between what is good and what is evil. It calls into question how we process our guilt or our innocence. It is a remarkably hopeful piece that is absolutely saturated in human emotion. From the screenwriting to the nuance of the performances, the full spectrum of the human soul is on raw display and beautifully so.
A Pastoral Picture
To put it very plainly, Waiting for Anya is a gorgeous film. The mountain landscape almost takes on its own character, as both the walls to a prison and the gateway to freedom. Within this rugged setting, deeds are hidden and experiences shape young boys into men. Atop the idyllic scenery, a lilting score.
The film’s setting of a quaint French village, dotted with pastures of grazing sheep is deceitfully pastoral. It feels like the sort of place where nothing bad could ever happen and, yet, we see that warm and inviting façade slowly poisoned by the presence of Nazi troops. The styling of Waiting for Anya is quite classical and literary works like Thoreau’s Walden instantly spring to mind when taking it in.
A Story of Humanity Must Be Built on People
It’s hardly a surprise that World War II and the atrocities of the Holocaust are depicted on-screen over and over. The tragedy speaks to something very deep within every viewer: sometimes in the form of memory or legacy, or simply as one of those cosmic emotional weights that we will carry for the rest of our existence. These stories of bravery and decency are the stories of the very best of us. As I said, at the outset, Waiting for Anya is a piece about humanity and what would a deeply human piece be without fantastic performances?
Noah Schnapp has already impressed audiences over and over again with his emotional intelligence and mature acting instincts. Waiting for Anya is an ideal showcase of what this young actor can do. It’s impressive to watch him work and to contain the multitudes of innocence and aging within a single performance. Anjelica Huston is always a joy and the stern, fiery Horcada is a perfect role for her. These two are absolutely carrying the film, but they make it look effortless.
These great performances are only bolstered by the wonderful script. The storytelling is so deeply grounded and sincere. It pulls you into the heart and soul of the village. Whether by design or good fortune, Waiting for Anya achieves that sense of community. It feels like the people you know. It feels like your own home. You feel the weight of the consequences. That is difficult to pull off and wonderful to see in a film, so early in the year.
Waiting for Anya: Conclusion
Waiting for Anya is more than just the beauty of its cinematography. It has a beating heart and the seductive ability to pull you in. This is not one to miss.
What is your favorite WWII movie? Let us know in the comments!
Waiting for Anya will arrive in theaters, on-demand, and digital on February 7th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMflhqTbr0U
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