Film Review: TRANSIT

WDCB’s Gary Zidek reviews the new film TRANSIT.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek reviews the new film TRANSIT.

“TRANSIT is not easily forgotten” - Gary Zidek

TRANSIT was adapted from a 1944 novel written by Anna Seghers. The novel (Transit Visa) was inspired by the authors’s own experiences fleeing the Nazi occupation of France. Director Christian Petzold sets the story in an unknown time period that feels contemporary, but lacks certain modern day amenities.

This film opens in Paris, with fascism spreading, German refugee Georg (Franz Rogowski) heads to Marseille, assuming the identity of a dead writer whose transit papers he’s obtained. While there, he develops relationships with a group of refugees from around the world desperate to leave before the unnamed fascist round-up forces arrive.

Gary gives TRANSIT *** 3 out of 4 stars. It’s currently playing at select theaters nationwide, including the Music Box Theater in Chicago and Landmark Renaissance Place Cinema in Highland Park.