Shocking Holocaust Story ‘White Bird’ Reveals Unexpected Kindness: You Won’t Believe It!

Back in 2017, the movie “Wonder” unexpectedly charmed both critics and the box office, earning Lionsgate a considerable success. The film was based on a children’s book by R.J. Palacio, featuring Jacob Tremblay as the young Auggie, a kid with Treacher Collins syndrome causing facial abnormalities, who taught his family and friends the significance of compassion. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson were cast as his parents. Given its success, a follow-up movie, drawing from one of Palacio’s subsequent “Wonder” books, was swiftly approved by the production company.

Now, seven years after the release of “Wonder,” the eagerly anticipated sequel, “White Bird: A Wonder Story,” is finally ready for the big screen after experiencing multiple setbacks due to the pandemic and labor strikes. Marc Forster directed the film and Mark Bomback penned the screenplay. “White Bird” is only loosely related to its predecessor and adopts a more globally relevant, historically grounded approach to convey the same message about the power of small yet significant acts of kindness.

Bryce Gheisar reprises his role as Julian, the young boy who bullied Auggie in “Wonder.” After being expelled from his school for his harsh behavior, Julian finds himself as the new kid in a different school, where he grapples with fitting in. However, a surprise visit and an unexpected lesson from his grandma Sara, played by Helen Mirren, completely alters his worldview.

Here, the real narrative of “White Bird” begins to unfold. It’s not about Julian, who merely acts as a narrative bridge to the world of “Wonder.” Instead, the film is truly about Sara’s childhood experiences in Nazi-occupied France, and the traumatic events she faced as a young Jewish girl.

Those who have seen or read Holocaust-themed films or books aimed at young adults will find familiar elements in “White Bird,” which parallels real-life stories like Anne Frank’s. Teen Sara, portrayed by Ariella Glaser, is the cherished and privileged daughter of a professor and a doctor (Ishai Golan) in a quaint French village. Despite her initial infatuation with the attractive Vincent (Jem Matthews) and her friends’ disregard for the quiet Julien (Orlando Schwerdt), a polio survivor, the harsh realities of occupation begin to affect her life as antisemitic laws reach her town. Her family attempts to flee but fails to evade the Nazi roundups.

Sara, however, is able to escape into the snowy wilderness, with Julien guiding her through the underground sewers to his family’s barn where he hides her away. Here, Julien and his parents (Gillian Anderson and Jo Stone-Fewings) take care of her until they must confront the fascist forces that have taken over their community. Despite the circumstances, Sara builds a meaningful relationship with Julien, learning to judge character based on shared humanity and courage, rather than status and power.

The strength of “White Bird” is largely due to its cast, particularly Glaser and Schwerdt, who deliver compelling performances as teenagers grappling with the immense atrocities of war on a personal level, while also navigating the complexities of adolescent relationships. Their performances anchor the film emotionally.

Forster offers a somewhat diluted depiction of the Holocaust, which is sobering yet digestible for younger viewers. The bucolic backdrop remains idyllic and almost mythical. As Sara narrates her memories, they are imbued with a warm, evocative glow, often appearing exaggeratedly beautiful. CGI flowers bloom on screen and a vibrant red coat stands out against a wintry backdrop. This stylistic choice, reminiscent of another acclaimed Holocaust film, underscores the film’s storytelling aspect, illustrating how our minds can enhance memories, making them more vivid and beautiful over time.

As a “Wonder Story” and a Holocaust narrative, “White Bird” delivers an anticipated yet crucial message: Empathy in action matters. Often, caring for others may require risking oneself, but it’s a risk worth taking. It serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness within the vast fabric of human existence. It’s a recurring message, but one that necessitates frequent repetition.

Reviewed by Katie Walsh, a film critic for Tribune News Service.