The six-episode series, starring Harvey Keitel and Anna Próchniak, delves into the heart-wrenching true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, a couple who found love in the most unlikely place – the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. The series portrays Lale, a Slovakian Jew forced to tattoo identification numbers on fellow prisoners, including Gita, with whom he falls in love at first sight.
In anticipation of its release, SkyShowtime recently unveiled the first images from the series, giving audiences a glimpse into the adaptation.
Jonah Hauer-King as Lali Sokolov, seen here as he boards the train to Auschwitz.
Actors Jonah Hauer-King and Polish actress Anna Próchniak bring to life the young Lale and Gita, capturing their spirit of resistance and rebellion against the backdrop of war. The casting of Harvey Keitel as the modern-day Lali Sokolov adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the series, with executive producer Claire Mundell highlighting Keitel's commitment to the role and the importance of Jewish actors portraying these characters.
Harvey Keitel as Lali Sokolov seen in his apartment in Melbourne.
“To have Harvey join us is a dream come true. The commitment and authenticity with which Harvey approached the portrayal of Lali was breathtaking to watch. It was important that both young and old Lali were played authentically by Jewish actors who were able to deliver the part with nuance, empathy, compassion, and the complexity that we need from that character,” Mundell said in a press release.
Jonah Hauer-King as Lali Sokolov seen here walking through Auschwitz with German-born actor Jonas Nay as Nazi officer Stefan Baretzki, front right.
In addition to the narrative and performances, the series also features a soundtrack by the acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer, known for his Oscar-winning scores in "The Lion King" and "Dune."
The Auschwitz concentration camp, operational from May 1940 to January 1945, was a complex of over 40 German Nazi concentration and extermination camps in occupied Poland during World War II and the Holocaust. Over 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz, and approximately 1.1 million were killed there, including nearly one million Jews. Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet Union on January 27, 1945, a date now commemorated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Source: PAP, SkyShowtime