Hedy Yi, G11, RDF International School

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is a heart-wrenching movie that reveals the atrocities of the Holocaust through the eyes of a child. Based on the novel by John Boyne, the movie takes us on a journey where two young boys developed a valuable friendship despite being separated by the fence of a concentration camp. The film is a poignant portrayal of the horrors of war and the power of human connection, and it has always been my favorite movie.

The story took place in Nazi Germany during World War II and focused on the life of an 8-year-old boy named Bruno. His father was a high-ranking officer in the Nazi army, and the army arranged for his family to move from their comfortable home in Berlin to a remote house near a concentration camp. Bruno, who was too young to understand the political situation, felt lonely and bored in his new home until he met a boy named Shmuel, who lived on the other side of the fence.

The two boys gradually became friends. They shared stories and played games together. The innocence of the children created a stark contrast to the harsh reality of the Holocaust, and their friendship served as a reminder of compassion and humanity.

Bruno, who had been sheltered from the horrors of the war, was unaware of the true nature of the camp. He climbed into the camp for Shmuel and was sent to the gas chamber; what was waiting for them was death.

Jews were innocent, as were the children. But war destroyed humanity and all good things. Innocent people died, and people lost their loved ones. Poverty, hunger, and deprivation hung over war zones. I realized how valuable it is that we are now living in peace.

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is a powerful movie that explores the themes of friendship, innocence, and the consequences of hatred and war. It is a reminder that even in the darkest days, there is still hope for humanity.