Watch Kapo

Set during World War II, Kapo is a poignant and emotional drama that explores the themes of survival, love, and redemption. The film opens with the arrest of a young Jewish woman named Edith (played by Susan Strasberg) who is sent to a concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Europe. Upon her arrival, she is immediately forced into hard labor and subject to the brutal treatment of the camp guards.

Despite the harsh circumstances, Edith manages to form a bond with a fellow prisoner named Rosa (Emmanuelle Riva) who becomes a motherly figure to her. However, when Rosa is selected for execution, Edith is devastated and makes the impulsive decision to escape the camp by taking on the identity of a deceased Polish girl named Nicole.

Under her new identity, Edith becomes a Kapo, a prisoner who is appointed by the camp authorities to oversee the work of other inmates. While she initially struggles with the moral ambiguity of her role as a Kapo, she soon becomes more hardened as she observes the relentless cruelty of the guards towards the prisoners.

However, Edith's life takes an unexpected turn when she falls in love with a French prisoner named Henri (Laurent Terzieff). Despite the danger and uncertainty of their situation, the two develop a deep emotional connection that gives them the strength to endure their harrowing circumstances.

As the war draws to a close, Edith and Henri's relationship becomes even more perilous as the Nazi guards become increasingly paranoid and brutal. Edith is forced to make a series of difficult choices that will determine not only her own fate but also the fate of those she cares about.

Throughout the film, Kapo provides a sobering portrayal of life in a concentration camp and the devastating impact of war on the human psyche. The film is notable for its nuanced depiction of characters who operate in morally gray areas, such as the Kapo system, and its exploration of the complexities of love and loyalty in a time of extreme strife.

The performances of Strasberg, Terzieff, and Riva are all outstanding, with Strasberg in particular delivering a powerful and nuanced portrayal of Edith's journey from a frightened and vulnerable prisoner to a hardened Kapo. The film's haunting score, composed by Carlo Rustichelli, adds to its emotional impact and reinforces the film's themes of loss and survival.

Kapo is not an easy film to watch, and it makes no attempt to gloss over the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. However, it is a powerful and moving piece of cinema that serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of unimaginable horror.