Film review: 'Past Life'

In 1977, a Jewish father's survival account of WWII comes into question in "Past Life." And as his two daughters delve into a disturbing revelation, their family begins to unravel.

Sephi Milch (Joy Rieger) is an aspiring classical music composer and choir singer, who after a concert in Berlin, is confronted by a raving Polish woman. She insists that Sephi's father, Dr. Milch (Doron Tavory), is a murderer. Upon returning home to Jerusalem, Sephi relates what happened in Germany to her sister, Nana (Nelly Tagar), who's a radical leftist magazine editor. 

Immediately, Nana wants to get to the bottom of the accusation, believing that her once physically abusive father is capable of murder. Sephi is hesitant but agrees to accompany Nana on her search for the truth. Eventually, their father becomes aware of what his daughters are up to and decides to tell them the "truth" in great length. 

Meanwhile, Sephi has become involved with Thomas Zielinski (Rafael Stakowiak), a renowned composer who just happens to be the son of the woman who verbally attacked her in Berlin. He agrees to aid her in the search for facts surrounding her father's dark past. A startling discovery is made that will forever bond Sephi and Thomas as children of tortured Holocaust survivors.

Israeli writer-director Avi Nesher has based his provocative film on a real-life memoir inspired by Dr. Milch's diaries. Nesher's message can be summed up in a quote from the Bible delivered in the film by Nana's character: 

"The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge."

And when Nana is stricken with cancer, she wholeheartedly believes that it is because of her father's sins. "Past Life" suffers from a scattered script and unabashed coincidence; but it soars on stunning scoring, brilliant acting and its message.

Rieger's performance is an exceptional one. Her facial expressions convey volumes about the inner conflicts her character is experiencing on this heart-wrenching journey. But her intense take on what occurred during the Holocaust with the father gives way to the compassion required to become a first-rate composer. Her work is as emotionally charged, as is the story itself.

"Past Life" warns that one should be wary when seeking the truth. The outcome may not be healthy — or particularly wise. But it also points out that doing so can provide unexpected inspiration and, above all, forgiveness.