The Book of Daniel (2013): 90 minutes
Director: Anna Zielinski
Robert Miano, Lance Henrikson, Andrew Bongiorno
This is a dramatization of the story of the legendary prophet Daniel, presented as a series of flashbacks narrated by the elderly Daniel before King Cyrus. It is contextualized as the aged Daniel recounting the story before the Persian King Cyrus covering a time span of 70 years of Israelite exile in Babylon. It unfolds through five major episodes, each highlighting the indefatigable faith and moral courage of the legendary prophet. Babylon on the banks of the River Euphrates was the seat of the mighty new Babylonian empire under King Nebuchadnezzar who seized Jerusalem in 605 B.C. When he enslaved the Jews the young boy Daniel along with many other young men was among the exiles. Daniel and his friends refuse forbidden food, remaining faithful to their God. Two weeks afterwards their diet proves better than that of their Babylonian peers when they appear healthier.
Recognized for his wisdom, Daniel became an adviser to King Nebuchadnezzar, and faced jealousy and danger from courtiers. But Daniel remains the king’s faithful servant without giving up his God. Despite being thrown into a lion’s den, Daniel’s faith protects him, showcasing his unyielding devotion.
In a dramatic turn, King Nebuchadnezzar, troubled by a forgotten dream, threatens his astrologers and magicians with death if they fail to recall and interpret it. Daniel steps in, guided by God, and unveils the dream’s meaning: a colossal image symbolizing future world history, from Babylon’s reign to the rise of other empires and ultimately the Kingdom of God. Impressed, Nebuchadnezzar appoints Daniel as ruler over Babylon. The narrative then follows how these prophecies unfold, including Daniel and his friends surviving the fiery furnace and the lion’s den under Darius’s rule, and the downfall of Belteshazzar, among other historical events.
My Best Friend Anne Frank (2021): 103 minutes
Director: Ben Sombogaart
Cast: Roeland Fernhout, Aiko Beemsterboer, Stefan de Walle, Josephine Arendsen, Lottie Hellingman et al
This movie is the latest among many movies inspired by the remarkable story of Anne Frank. Based on Alison Leslie Gold’s book, Memories of Anne Frank: Reflections of a Childhood Friend, the film intricately weaves together the recollections of Hannah Goslar, Anne’s closest companion and neighbor during their time in Amsterdam. The film moves between their carefree youth and the grim reality of the Holocaust, set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. It highlights the struggles of the Jewish community, Hannah and Anne’s increasing awareness of anti-Semitism, and their resilient optimism despite the oppressive circumstances.
Hannah, in particular, harbors selfless aspirations of emulating Florence Nightingale, even amidst the encroaching darkness of the Nazi regime. Meanwhile, Anne’s family, like many others, plans an escape to Switzerland, only to have their hopes dashed when their hiding place is betrayed, leading to their eventual capture. Tragedy strikes further as Hannah’s mother passes away during childbirth, and the Goslar family, too, falls victim to the Nazi dragnet. Detained in an exchange camp, their fate becomes entwined with that of countless others, as they are held as bargaining chips in the brutal calculus of war. Separated from her dearest friend, Hannah is left to grapple with the harrowing realities of existence in the shadow of genocide. The film poignantly captures the anguish of loss, the relentless march of despair, and the indomitable human spirit that perseveres even in the face of unimaginable adversity. Even as it portrays the unforgettable horrors of racist persecution and the horrors of the World war, it is also a tale of friendship and human bonding in the days of such horror, a celebration of humanity.
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