Distant Journey Film Analysis

The film, Distant Journey, directed by Alfred Radok, follows the young protagonist, Dr. Hana Kaufmanova, and her family’s journey during the Holocaust. The film begins with scenes of official signs around the city telling the Jews to "get out", followed by all of the Jews forced to wear a yellow star on their coats. Soon all of Hana’s family has been deported. Hana was originally exempt from being deported because she married a non-Jew. The community faces rising terror as people are soon singled out by the Nazis for transport to Terezin. We witness the effect the occupation has on Hana and her family. One example is an uncle deciding to commit suicide by jumping out a window. And also when Hana's husband sneaks into Terezin and finds out that her parents have been transported and killed.
The horrors inside of Terezin grow as we see how Hana copes inside the ghetto. The cruelty of the Germans is depicted through a multitude of scenes. One is when the Jews are first processed to be sent to Terezin, an officer forces people to line up against the wall, tricking them into thinking they were going to be shot. We also see a Nazi officer order a woman to move a bucket out of his way and forces her to crawl on all fours and take the pail away like a dog. Conditions inside of Terezin are very bad as it is overcrowded. This is causing many to die of starvation and of disease. As a doctor, Hana helps to treat those suffering with typhus while inside the ghetto. The film ends with survivors of Terezin celebrating their liberation and Hana being reunited with her