When we learn about World War II and the lead-up to it, we often hear of it in broad strokes. It’s not often we hear about personal stories or things that happened before concentration camps were fully enacted and mass genocide took place. But, through the ashes of all of it, we do hear some glimmers of hope and the life that still happened even inside some of the harshest conditions.
Love Gets a Room is a play that was put on inside the Warsaw ghetto before the residents were moved to concentration camps. And the movie of the same name is a real-time production of the play happening between conflict, drama, and higher stakes than any performance they’ve ever performed. Faced with the choice of following her heart and survival, or helping others Stefcia performs her role while fighting her heart along the way. Their performance is more than just to keep their passion for performing alive, but to keep the spirits up of the other people within their community in the face of possible death.
The contrast between performances on stage and behind the scenes with their actual lives is well done, showing just what is at stake for the actors along the way. To feign happiness and love, in the face of danger and their own internal conflict happening and actual conflicts backstage. The play portrays an idyllic setting compared to what the actors are dealing with, and their love for their craft and performing for an audience is one they strive for throughout the whole show.
Love Gets a Room was actually performed in the Warsaw Ghetto. While the story around the play is most likely one of complete fiction, there were brave actors who continued to portray this story until they were no longer allowed to. The movie adds a bit more heartbreak with an almost impossible choice for Stefcia and the people in her life, which will leave viewers gutted.
The movie is about a dark and turbulent time in history, but other than the impending darkness that surrounds them and a few fun shots – the violence of the time isn’t portrayed on screen often. It is heartbreaking and helps give a human story to the history we’re often taught about and brings a much deeper understand of the time.
Love Gets a Room is now in select theaters and is available on demand.
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About Love Gets a Room:
Inspired by true events during the 1942 Nazi occupation of Poland, LOVE GETS A ROOM is the story of a Jewish stage actress who must make the gut-wrenching decision to follow her heart or to escape the Warsaw ghetto. Told in real time like Cortés’ acclaimed BURIED, the film is a romantic tale of love and survival in the face of harrowing circumstances.