Edward Zentara Movies

Triumph of the Spirit is the true story of Salamo Arouch, a Greek-Jewish boxer imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. Arrested while attempting to help his family and friends escape the Nazi juggernaut, Arouch (Dafoe) is slated for extermination. He manages to survive--and to serve as an inspiration for his fellow inmates--by literally boxing for his life. He does this at the orders of his SS captors, who gamble on the outcome of Arouch's bouts. With each victory, Arouch is rewarded with extra bread rations, which he passes on to his family. Counterpointing the main story is the seemingly foredoomed romantic relationship between Arouch and female inmate Allegra (Wendy Gazelle). An uplifting coda rounds out this grim factual account. Triumph of the Spirit was filmed on location at Auschwitz--the first film of its kind to be lensed in that infamous locale. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this depressing but insightful drama, Pradera (Edward Zantara) is a young poet who decides to turn his back on society. Moving to a small village, he takes a job as a lumberjack and rents a modest room from an elderly landlady. Pradera soon realizes his new life is far less satisfying than the idyllic country life he had imagined. The evasive poet will only say he is from the North and finds making friends is his new locale difficult. Church organ music by Vivaldi adds to the somber mood of the film. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi