Secrets of War 2004

     The setting of this film is the summer of 1943 and the title in Dutch is Oorlogsgeheimen.  The war is closing in on the people of a small town and the Mayor is siding with the German’s.  Turr and Lambert are best friends but their families are on opposite sides.  Turr isn’t certain but he thinks his parents are working for the resistance.  They tell Turr he needs to separate from Lambert but Turr refuses.  A new girl comes to town and she is living with relatives.  Tuur and Lambert both like her but Tuur learns she is using an assumed name and she is really Jewish. 

     This town is dangerous for everyone except those helping the Germans.  Jewish people can easily be sent without a second thought to concentration camps when they are discovered.  Other people can be sent to labor camps that are spoken of as not being so bad?  Anyone in the resistance will be immediately rounded up and shot.  The young actors are very good and natural in their roles.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

 

95 min, Drama directed by Dennis Bots with Maas Bronkhuyzen, Joes Brauers, Michael Nierse, Tonko Bossen, Luck Feit, Juul Vrijdag, Ad van Kempen, Loek Peters, Nils Verkooijen, Pien Westendorp, Eva Duijvestein.

Note:  Imdb 7.1 out of 10, 92% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 38 reviews, Letterboxd 3.4* out of 5* with 119 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands; Melin, Coolen-Riemst, Belgium; Mertert and Petange, Luxembourg.  The title song Onze Vriendschap at the end credits means Our Friendship and it signifies that the friendship between Turr and Lambert will continue.