In 1943, a childless couple, the Čížeks, decide to hide a Jewish refugee, David Wiener, the son of Čížek's former employer, in the secret pantry of their apartment. Čížek is aware of the danger into which he has brought his household and his neighbours, but he takes helping his fellow man in need for granted. But at the same time, as a largely unheroic hero, he is dying of fear. His personal situation is greatly complicated by the approaching end of the war, when he faces danger from both the Germans and his "honest" fellow Czechs...
Acting
Bolek Polívka's sweating, trembling everyman is unbearably human.
Direction
Hřebejk squeezes unbearable tension into cramped apartment spaces.
Writing
Darkly funny dialogue that cuts like a knife.
Director
Jan Hřebejk
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on true stories from director Hřebejk's own family history of hiding Jews during occupation.
The 'Divided We Fall' title references both Czech national division and the fractured loyalties within one household.
CZ
