Twin Sisters (2003)

Separated as children and then after a brief reunion before World War II, two sisters are finally reunited in their elder years.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 13-SEP-2005
Media Type: DVD Product Description

Excellent WWII film told from a Dutch-German perspective

Excellent Dutch film about twin sisters who are torn apart first by family circumstance on the death of their parents, and then by WWII. Well produced, well acted, and presented with restraint and a nice eye for detail by director Ben Sombogaart. April 26, 2008

TWIN SISTERS victims of circumstance

The Dutch Academy Award nominated TWIN SISTERS says a volume full about nature vs nuture as two German born girls are tragically pulled apart when they become orphans.In 1925,Anna is given to a violent farmer Uncle and his abusive wife, and Lotte, a tuburculant, is whisked off to a privileged life in Holland.The story flits from their youth to their last days and all that transpires in between when Anna unknowingly a victim of Nazi propaganda embraces for no good reason their philosophy,while Lotte is betrothed to a Danish Jew who eventually is transported to his death in Auschwitz.The girls have been systematically lied to their entire lives and each has had to grow and make decisions without the other.Each lands squarely and bitterly on opposite sides and forgiveness becomes virtually impossible.

TWIN SISTERS is a sad and frustrating look at what happens to people when their lives are no longer under their control.It asks questions that are quite unanswerable.The film does not allow the viewer to fully empathize OR sympathize with either girl's plight.Each has been forced to make decisions without any proper guidance.As they say in their last days,"We were victims of circumstance".This film truly puts the Biblical admonition "Judge not,lest ye be judged" and the famous Native American proverb "Judge no one unless you have walked in their moccasins".TWIN SISTERS is truly a thinking-person's movie that forces one to see both sideds of a story and not land squarely in either camp.This film is true genius and can be viewed many times over examining all of the issues, yet never coming to any solid conclusion.Anyone who has ever had "familial issues" will be helped greatly to stop being arrogant and stubborn, that's for certain!

This film was inspired by true events.The DVD offers no extras.The aspect ratio is perfect widescreen.Dutch with English subtitles.A highly recommended purchase. November 3, 2007

A New Perspective

As a native of Netherlands, my husband was enthralled by the perspective and the lives of the twins. He gained new understanding of life in western Europe during WWII. This film showed a part of the war rarely seen. I have since loaned the DVD to friends; everyone has voiced their appreciation of the film. BUY IT, WATCH IT, LEARN... August 29, 2007

Potent, subtle, elegant

Wow, there are some poorly written reviews here. This is a beautiful film, lovely and tender and careful and sensitive. And worthy of more than a lengthy plot synopsis. That plot, hacked to bits by others here, does not need repeating. But the themes, barely touched, are timeless. And wonderfully presented. While a "Holocaust" film, it is not a grim parade of stacked corpses or incinerators. It is a film of gradual opening, as new things become clear, and people realize that their environments and their choices have led them to places they'd rather not be. And it again reminds us just how potent true evil is when it faces those who do not believe in its existence, who ignore and excuse and explain and justify.

What complicity does one have when evil is done in one's name without one's full knowledge? And when do we forgive those who have hurt us? Hard questions indeed. This film's answer is that love transcends complicity. Love says "I accept you, no matter what you've done. Come home." How beautiful. And how freeing.

So many delightful details, carefully and wondrously presented, make this a film that is both sad and yet joyous. The three pair of actresses are uniformly wonderful. The look is a treasure, as we move between comfort and filth. Life has been frightfully hard for many in the 20th Century, and yet those people, residents of cities that ceased to exist, or sole survivors of extended families that were exterminated, or scarred veterans who witnessed the horrors of battle, came back, cleaned up, rebuilt, and started over. When we see the contents of Ann's life in that little suitcase, consisting of fewer clothes than we have in a load of laundry, a single photo, some letters and a mother's handkerchief, our hearts are torn by how much this poor woman has lost. And yet she persevered, though rejected, scorned, and abused. Our world that knows nothing of patience, endurance, or resilience, calls that bravery, but Anna would never have so described herself. She just went on, as she had to. How beautiful. And when she finally gets the acceptance -- not forgiveness, for she has done nothing wrong -- she seeks, we triumph with her. How can people carry grudges to their grave? What do they get but an ego salved at the expense of so much else? We all fail. We all fall. We need an extended hand, and when it comes, oh, how soothing it is. June 12, 2007

wonderful movie

I loved this movie and it was very thought provoking. Great acting and highly recommend it!
January 15, 2007

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