“Come and See” depicts the loss of innocence and the horrors of Nazi aggression in this visual masterpiece.
Though this film premiered in 1985, it has not lost its intensity with age. It is an important reminder of why people should be wary of politicians who make light of war.
Although a conflict may be raging in a far-off land, like the Ukraine-Russian war, viewers have a moral obligation to examine the facts, preserve freedom and exert pressure so as to aid countries that have been unjustly invaded.
This film is based in 1943, during the German invasion of modern-day Belarus during World War II.
As the audience follows Flyora, a young boy who is recruited by the Belorussian partisans, the audience experiences the war from his perspective.
Flyora hides in forests and learns the harsh realities of soldiering, and viewers feel what he feels as he witnesses the invasion of his homeland.
It is a difficult movie to sit through because of the chaos and destruction on display. Imagery in the film exposes the depravity of war and how people should do everything in their power to avoid it.
Visually, it is a gritty and dark film, which compliments the grim themes “Come and See” explores.
The eye-level perspective of the film brings the viewer into every scene and gives the impression of a war documentary. By making the Belorussian defenders sympathetic, the film positions the audience to feel compassion and empathy for their plight.
With extreme closeups centered around the eyes throughout the film, the viewer is provided a glimpse into the mind of the protagonists.
Although “Come and See” provides relief to the building tension with moments of levity and dark humor, it is overshadowed by the scale of devastation experienced by the Belorussians.
“Come and See” effectively tells a story that exposes the evil that humanity is capable of by exploring the consequences of total war and invasion.
Throughout “Come and See,” viewers are shown how war traumatizes and transforms young Flyora and those around him.
“Come and See” can be viewed on the Apple TV, Prime Video and the Criterion Channel streaming platforms.
