When people think of the world famous French mime, Marcel Marceau, his is often thought of as a clown, a showman, an artist who entertained millions around the world who was able to tell stories with his physicality.
What every few people realize is that Marceau was born Marcel Mangel, the son of a Polish Jewish immigrant to France in 1923 and the young son of a Kosher butcher would develop his skills during World War II while entertaining children, keeping them calm a they remained hidden from the Vichy France and Nazis.
Writer, Director and Co-Producer, Jonathan Jakubowicz (Hands of Stone, Secuestro express) also the son of Polish Jewish immigrants to Venezuela, honors Marceau and the children who survived the Holocaust, in Resistance, following Jesse Eisenberg who magically becomes Marceau. Along with Eisenberg, Géza Röhrig plays his cousin Georges Loinger, Clémence Poésy as Emma, Vica Kerekes as Mila and Bella Ramsey as Elsbeth.
I spoke with Jakubowicz about the horrors of war, honoring one’s ancestors and using art to be able to breathe life back into those who suffer.
Resistance is a powerful and beautiful films that is instantly a Five out of Five Stars as I did not expect to get lost in the story of Marceau at this point in his life. Like our American Jewish youth culture creators, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Will Eisner, Bob Kane, Joe Shuster and Siegel to name a few, these men were all responsible for bringing enjoyment to children in one way or another during one of the hardest times in human history.
As we face another major world crisis, this time an unseen, airborne virus, we look to the past to help us understand where our future will lead us. The course of history has changed once again and looking back on World War II and the life of Marcel Marceau helps us hope for a better tomorrow.
Resistance will be available on Digital Platforms and Cable VOD, this Friday, March 27, 2020.
