The Pianist
"The Pianist" is a film by Roman Polanski released in 2002. It is an adaptation of the autobiographical novel by Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jewish pianist and composer who survived the Second World War. He tells the story of the Nazi invasion of Warsaw, the hell of the ghetto in which Jews were rounded up and the deportation of his family to the Treblinka extermination camp where they were killed and from which he narrowly escaped thanks to his reputation as a musician. It is also a testimony to the solidarity shown by some Polish resistance fighters who did not hesitate to risk their lives to save him. The lead role is played by the American actor Adrien Brody, who received several awards for his performance, including the Oscar and the César for best actor. "The Pianist" also received the César for Best Film Music. The soundtrack consists mainly of classical works by Frederic Chopin such as "Nocturne n°20" and "Prélude n°4". The works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig Van Beethoven can also be heard. The piano pieces are masterfully performed by the Polish pianist Janusz Olejniczak.
