Written by Steve ‘Frosty’ Weintraub

Opening in limited release this weekend, and expanding the following week, is “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”. The movie is based on the 2006 book by novelist John Boyne and it’s about how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime. Here’s the synopsis:

Through the lens of an eight-year-old boy largely shielded from the reality of World War II, we watch a forbidden friendship that forms between Bruno, the son of Nazi commandant, and Schmuel, a Jewish boy held captive in a concentration camp. Though the two are separated physically by a barbed wire fence, their lives become inescapably intertwined.

The imagined story of Bruno and Shmuel sheds light on the brutality, senselessness and devastating consequences of war from an unusual point of view. Together, their tragic journey helps recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust.

Anyway, about a week ago they held a press day here in Los Angeles and I was able to interview David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga as well as Writer/Director Mark Herman and novelist John Boyne. Both interviews were interesting and informative on how they made this great movie.

 

Finally, if you want to watch some movie clips from “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”, click here.

David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga

  • Did they hesitate taking this part more than another part due to the subject matter
  • They both did a lot of research for the role, I ask what was the most interesting thing they learned
  • What was filming like in Budapest
  • How important is creating a backstory for their performance
  • They talk about what they have coming up

 

Director Mark Herman and Novelist John Boyne

  • They talk about the USA tour they’re on
  • How hard was it to get financing for the project and did the success of the book help
  • Did they collaborate making the movie or was it done separately
  • How did filming in Budapest help or hurt the production
  • I ask John what it was like going to the set and watching his novel come to life
  • They talk about what they’re working on next