The film Primo is a monologue based on the life of the man Primo Levi and based on the novel Survival in Auschwitz. This movie was similar to a documentary, and was an abbreviated version of Survival in Auschwitz read aloud. The movie consisted of a morose stage and a meek wall, and was not meant to be at the center of the action. The emotions felt during this movie were a result of the lighting and the acting. The dramatic affects were sincere unlike those of an artificial multi million, conservative director’s take on what went on during the holocaust.
The actor, Anthony Sher, did an outstanding portrayal of his character, and the emotions evoked within him could not have been brought forth by an ‘unreal’ emotion, because they moved the audience as well. One admirable quality of Sher’s, was his tone. Most actors could not have pulled off this long monologue without whisking away into a monotone voice, because of the length and placidity of the “play” When the term placidity is used, it is not referring to the literal denotation of the word but rather the fact that there was a lack of props and extreme action which is needed to stimulate audiences in this day and age. At times Sher’s voice was filled with despair and at other times the viewer can almost feel all the commotion and understand the panic ‘he’ had gone through. While watching Primo, the feeling of the camp left a lingering feeling and Sher’s tone and pitch managed to give me goose bumps. As I walked out of the English classroom, I had believed that this actor had experienced Auschwitz from the selection process to the irrevocable accounts which will never be told to the extent, even our masochistic society would have to cover our ears. Anthony Sher is a remarkable actor whose brilliance is not recognized enough in this day and age.
After the actor one must look at the sets. The sets are one of the most important tools in a film or play, because they not only can tell much about what the story is about or where it is, but sets can also provide a vast amount of symbolism. In the case of Primo symbolism plays an important role when critiquing the sets. The sets and props were limited to gray walls which gave a feeling of being suffocated however near the end of the film, the walls noticeably grew further and further apart which symbolized the wire and fence around the concentration camps. I believe at the start whne the sets gave off a feeling of an enclosed space it was to portray to the audience the lack of choice these innocent souls had, and how trapped into the atrocities they were. The walls representing the barbered wire was unique because instead of this free feeling, one would expect with a movie near the end, you feel even more trapped although the walls are more spaced than in the beginning. The representation of the gate can be interpreted as freedom or the need to remember. Overall the sets added a lot to the play even though at first glance it does not seem as though there are any sets to look at.
To accompany the walls was another important aspect; the lighting. The lighting gave way to many different scenes using individual colours. These colours included: blue- representing the sky, a mellow red- representing the crematorium and the colour of death. Red and blue were the most apparent and important colours for me. The lighting had different affects on the mood of the viewer. At times the audience could feel hope and at others trapped and saddened; and maybe even a little dead inside. The lighting helped bring emotions forth and guided the audience through these emotions.
The luminous novel Survival in Auschwitz was brought to life in the play/film Primo. Anthony Sher deserves an enormous amount of credit for all his talent and work which made me leave the room realizing and feeling the emotions that most survivors and victims’ faced. The lighting and sets played an important part in giving the audience insight to the novel and helped this one of a kind play/film come to life. Overall I was pleased with the film and would recommend it to those who need a break from altruistic Hollywood.
