Borrowing Time

This film transcends trauma - the subject, Henry and his sister Margot, twins separated during the Nazi invasion of their home - torn from a world of ordinary and quickly dropped into disarray, horror, isolation, panic, and survival against all odds. The juxtaposition from those years to the present, the use of black and white footage, still images of the human condition attempting to process memories of atrocities and trauma, forgiveness and the many layers embedded deep within one's psyche and cellular memory, and love so amazingly deep that it is the binding force that propelled this man to find his sister after the war, and what fuels him today in his care for terminally ill children. This filmmaker masterfully documents an intimate, at times gut wrenching, beautifully scored, personal story about the life and work of this extraordinary man.

Sometimes what's important in a documentary isn't style, or grace of story-telling, but simply a charismatic and moving central figure. Certainly that's the case here. The photography can be amateurish, the music schmaltzy, but Henri Landwirth, a survivor of Auschwitz who became a wildly successful real estate entrepreneur, only to turn away from focusing on riches to devote himself and his millions to bring joy to dying children is one of those people it's impossible not to love and be moved by.

Henri has created a 55 acre getaway called 'Give Kids the World' where dying children and their families can come and have a free vacation in a whimsical play-world Henri created while always trying to see from a kid's point of view. The ease, love, playfulness and gentle kindness Henri shows these kids is quite overwhelming.

So, for me it was frustrating that the bulk of the film is spent on the also moving, but somehow more familiar story of Henri's return to Poland, visiting his childhood home and the remains of the death camp that took most of his family, and from which he barely escaped. Ultimately there's a bit of lurching between the worlds of the film, and by spreading itself thin, we don't go as deeply into any one part of this remarkable, tragic and triumphant life as we might.

But this is still very much worth seeing, if only to get a chance to meet and be inspired by someone as remarkable as the soft spoken, huge hearted Henri.

What a lovely and important film. Resonates so deeply with all that is GOOD about humankind. We sometimes forget about the simplicity (and beauty!) of human emotion because our lives have become so inundated with technology and the over stimulation of "modern times." Henry and his sister's story is endlessly inspiring and for us to be able to partake in his journey home,well, I probably cant properly articulate what that is like - it's best expressed in the lines on Henry's face and in the footsteps he takes back to Prague and to Germany. He really is "hope personified." Strongly recommend. Especially today, as there does seem to be so much that is askew in the world -- this film is timeless, but right now, it could never be more timely.

Borrowing Time is an extremely moving and poignant film. While the subject matter revolves around the emotional fallout from distant holocaust-related memories, I wouldn't characterize it as a "holocaust" film per se. Rather, it's a study in the importance of facing, accepting and releasing hatreds from the past and how we all need to forgive in order to free ourselves from deep seated emotional pain.

The principal characters, particularly Henri and Margot, connect emotionally with the audience. They are portrayed in a way that makes you really care about them and their struggles. They seem completely involved in their quest, unaware of the camera, which helped me feel as though I was simply accompanying them rather than watching a filmed account.

Aside from its relevant message, the film's production values are first rate. Direction, cinematography, editing and original music are all creatively handled and effectively move the story forward. There are some stunningly artistic visuals with heightened emotional impact thanks in part to the heart-rending music. The bottom line is I was completely invested in the story and had tears in my eyes for the final third of the movie. Highly recommended viewing.