The review of A Small Light, the miniseries available on Disney+. An intense emotion and glimmer of hope, emerged in a historical context made of anger, hatred and fear. Because anyone can make a difference
ORIGINAL TITLE: A Small Light. TYPE: drama, historical COUNTRY: United States of America. CREATOR: Joan Rater, Tony Phelan. CAST: Bel Powley; Joe Cole; Amira Casar; Billie Boullet; Ashley Brooke; Liev Schreiber: DURATION: 8 episodes. ITALIAN DISTRIBUTION: Disney+. EXIT: 2 maggio 2023.
Among the historical testimonies for the terrible war crimes of the Extermination Camps; that of Anne Frank and her family is the most narrated and known story. Several times protagonist of film adaptations; the events external to the young girl have often been overlooked. For this reason National Geographic has decided to sign the TV miniseries A Small Light; centered on the young Miep; by all known as the one who lent a hiding place from the Nazis for a long time.
The strength and tenacity of a young woman, in an intense historical reconstruction; where hope and the desire for survival make their way in the terrible historical context of War.
Signed as above National Geographicdesigned by Joan Rater, Tony Phelan; eight intense episodes available on the platform Disney+.
Plot and Trailer | A Small Light Review
A Small Light develops the story in the terrible historical split with the acesa of Hitler and the expansion of Nazi rule also in the Netherlands. Miep Gies, is a young Dutch woman secretary and faithful friend of Otto Frank, Anna’s father. When Otto and his family are forced to leave the city to go to Nazi concentration camps; the young Miep Gies together with her with the help of her husband, undertakes to keep Otto and his family safe.
Over time, in addition to Anne Frank’s family, the couple managed to help many other families in difficulty, loading themselves and carrying out important acts of resistance.
Starring Bel Powley; Joe Cole; Amira Casar; Billie Boullet; Ashley Brooke; Liev Schreiber.
The desire to do the right thing | Review A Small Light
Even a secretary, a housewife, a girl can, in her own way, turn on a small light in a dark room
A true, real and heartfelt quote; capable of enclosing the heroic deeds of the young Miep Gies, an ordinary woman who hides an indomitable strength. A fragile and delicate, complex story that lurks and moves in the darkest corners of history, that is, the disasters and horrors of war.
From the very first episodes, A Small Light it is characterized by the magnificent and well-groomed intertwining of reality with the fictional story; mixing in perfect harmony a mix of fantasy and true emotions. The deep trauma of the war is described and represented on the screen through the main figure of Miep Gies, able to bind and dissolve perfectly with the events of the secondary characters of the series. Masterfully played by actress Bel Powley, she is the linchpin of the entire series, showing great tenacity and resistance to power. Shrewd and elusive, the young woman is seen as a heroine of yesteryear; she manages to show a growth path that is difficult not to be admired from the outside; breaking down the great walls of tradition and brandishing the flag of the desire to conquer one’s independence.
Built thanks to a deep and intelligent writing; her tenacious personality manages to take on great relevance, bringing to the screen a cross-section of the narrated world and fears for the future. A tone of hope and desire to do the right thing, often destroyed by the brutal everyday life experienced by ordinary people. People with dreams, a desire for freedom and light-heartedness, dizzyingly prisoners in a chaotic and destructive context; governed by the sense of hatred and rejection of the other and the different; where doing the right thing seems nearly impossible.
The different directorial style episode after episode (directed by Susanna Fogel, Leslie Hope, Tony Phelan); manages to maintain a strong homogeneity. The growth and knowledge of the actors develop in total harmony with the unfolding of the events. The cold colors and heavy faces of the various protagonists mix with the events represented; making everything more human, earthly, fragile and limited in existence.
The Importance of Relationships: Never Forget the Meaning of Love | A Small Light Review
One of the key points that takes shape in the series A Small Light; it is the texture and the deep importance given to relationships in all its facets. Whether they are friendship or couple; the feeling of affection and love it turns out to be the only anchor point for future hope. In a chaotic world filled with rage and utter destruction; love takes on the lightest and most transparent clothes, urging us to dream, resist and set real goals.
As for Anne moved by the desire to one day become a good writer of Anne Frank, up to the genuine desire of her mother Edith Frank, eager to go back to feeling the simple warmth of the sun on her skin and enjoy the affection of people outside the walls now become a prison. Their essence and personalities add a deep and moving warmth, allowing the viewer themselves to create an immersive and poignant emotional connection.
The importance of friendship and the beauty of the relationship born between them slams ferociously towards the narrated ugliness of war. Nazi ogres (so called by them) swallow dreams, hugs, kisses and hopes. The gray spaces, empty and absent, come to life through panoramic planes, fields and counter fields and close-ups. The intensity of gazes and faces are skillfully represented through a detailed and prismatic directorial style. The transcribed thoughts, shapes and colors remain vividly on the skin, alternating with grimaces of pain and suffering.
Conclusion
Despite the efforts and courage described, on August 4, 1944 a group of Nazi officers raided the Opekta offices. Otto Frank and his family are arrested and condemned to the sad fate now known to all. An inevitable conclusion that comes like a punch in the stomach to the spectators, almost incredulous and hopeful at a juncture, but brought back to reality by the anticipatory anguish of the ominous final epilogue.
The themes touched and described, he manages to find a balance in each character, thanks to the masterful help of the actors’ interpretation. Liev Schreiber he proves capable and composed as Otto Frank, with a strength, intensity and steadfastness that surpasses any ordinary capacity. A well-painted figure in a perfect choral framework enriched with faces, able to show off joys and sorrows.
Our review wants to bare the power of A Small Light; manifesting itself not as a mere copy of seen and overseen transpositions. Miep Gies (played by Bel Powley) is the representation of true and real humanity; a fragile everyday life, a human being made of flesh, error and conquest. Miep Gies she is the one who remembers how all of us in our small way, even in the simplest gestures, can change the destiny and future of the world, making it a better place. Because if the past cannot be changed, for the future we can force ourselves to keep a light on to write a better page.
The eight episodes are available to all subscribers on the platform Disney+.
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