Movies - One Life: A captivating film about the unsung hero Nicholas Winton

By Mulder, 30 january 2024

Producers Emile Sherman and Iain Canning have announced a poignant new film entitled One Life, telling the extraordinary story of Nicholas Winton and his heroic act of saving Jewish children during the Second World War. Inspired by Barbara Winton's book "If It's Not Impossible", screenwriters Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake have adapted this moving story for the big screen.

The story takes place over two distinct periods, in 1938 and 1988, highlighting the long-term impact of the events on those involved. Director James Hawes explained that this approach provides a better understanding of the logistical and emotional challenges faced by Nicholas Winton and his team in rescuing the children.

The film's cast includes renowned actors such as Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn, Helena Bonham Carter and Lena Olin, carefully chosen to represent different eras in Nicholas Winton's life. The actors drew on archives, Nicholas's letters and Barbara Winton's book to bring these captivating characters to life.

The director stressed the importance of conveying emotions without lapsing into pathos, shooting in authentic Prague locations, including the train station where the children said goodbye to their families before being evacuated to England.

Composer Volker Bertelmann has also created a subtle soundtrack to accompany the story, skilfully balancing emotion without lapsing into melodrama. One Life is an ode to humanity and the ability of each individual to make a difference, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The film's title, "One Life", was chosen to encourage viewers to reflect on their own choices as individuals and as a society. The producers stressed the importance of remembering Nicholas Winton's legacy and raising awareness of current humanitarian issues.

The film explores the details of the children's rescue, highlighting the crucial role of Nicholas Winton's photographic album, now on display at the Yad Vashem Museum in Israel. Director James Hawes explains that the album, recreated for the film, is a fundamental element that runs through the whole story.

The film also involved the descendants of the rescued children, who generously supported the project by sharing their stories and appearing on screen. The filming of a sequence for the TV show "That's Life" was particularly moving, with the descendants' presence in the audience revealed to Anthony Hopkins on the day of shooting.

One Life is not just a war story, but a celebration of human resilience and the importance of empathy and action in the face of humanitarian crises. At a time when the number of refugees worldwide is reaching unprecedented proportions, the film aims to inspire audiences to take action and support humanitarian efforts.

For those wishing to contribute, the film recommends making a donation to the International Rescue Committee, an organization that works worldwide to help people affected by humanitarian crises. One Life promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience, reminding audiences of the power of each individual to make a difference in the world.

Synopsis:
Prague, 1938. With the city on the verge of falling to the Nazis, a London banker pulls out all the stops to save hundreds of children from certain death in the concentration camps. Risking his life, Nicholas Winton organized convoys to England, where 669 Jewish children found refuge. This true story, which had remained unknown for decades, was revealed to the world in 1988 when Nicholas was invited to testify on a British TV program. Little does he know that in the audience are the children - now adults - who survived thanks to him...

One Life
Directed by James Hawes
Written by Lucinda Coxon, Nick Drake
Based on If It's Not Impossible...The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton by Barbara Winton
Produced by Joanna Laurie, Iain Canning Emile Sherman, Guy Heeley
Starring Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Flynn, Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Jonathan Pryce
Cinematography : Zac Nicholson
Edited by Lucia Zucchetti
Music by Volker Bertelmann
Production companies: See-Saw Films, BBC Film, MBK Productions, Cross City Films, FilmNation Entertainment, LipSync
Distributed by SND (France), Blecker Street (United States)
Release dates: 9 September 2023 (TIFF) 1 January 2024 (United Kingdom), March 15, 2024 (United States),
Running time : 110 minutes