The Pianist

The Pianist is a heartfelt tale about a renowned Polish Jewish pianist, Wladyslaw Szpilman, who overcomes a series of difficulties after losing touch with his family during WWII. The haunting Holocaust drama, directed by Roman Polanski and released in 2002, is influenced by the famous autobiography, "The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw", written in 1939-1945. The movie is about a pianist of a radio station (played by Adrien Brody), who ventures into a distressing journey through the 'Warsaw Ghetto.'

By the time the Nazis seal the Ghetto gates on 16 November 1940, Szpilman's family has sold all their possessions, including his prized piano, and been forced to hide in desolate surroundings. Before his loved ones died during Operation Reinhard, Szpilman used his piano skills to earn money. He frequented himself at Café Nowoczesna - a small address on Sienna Street, favored by the Jewish aristocracy - and the Ghetto's biggest café, the Sztuka.

Brody won the Academy Award for Best Actor at the age of 29. This made him become the youngest celebrity ever to achieve such a feat.

Release year: 2002

Director: Roman Polanski

IMDB Score: 8.6/10