directed by: Václav Marhoul, year: 2019
actors: Harvey Keitel, Stellan Skarsgård, Bartłomiej Topa, Goran Navojec

Set during World War II, The Painted Bird follows a young boy who journeys across a ravaged Eastern European countryside, enduring hunger, exploitation, and brutality as he tries to survive. Throughout his odyssey, he encounters soldiers, peasants, and religious zealots, testing the limits of resilience and faith. The film adapts Jerzy Kosinski's novel with stark, unflinching imagery, long takes, and a haunting, uncompromising mood. It leaves a lasting, disturbing meditation on humanity and survival.

Post War Trauma, War Drama, Historical Drama, Psychological Drama, World War II, Adaptation