Because this novel is written from the point of view of the germans, readers may find themselves sympathizing with characters that were. Nov 14, 20 the book thief has its moments of brilliance, thanks in large part to an adept cast. Rudy is a spontaneous, boisterous and loud personality. Additional film and book suggestions are at the end of this guide in the find out more section on page 11. Fans turned out in large numbers to get a glimpse of geoffrey rush walking the red carpet this past tuesday evening, october 22, 20. The book thief this is such a wow of a book to read and to see the film as well. Interview with markus zusak chicago public library. Max ben schnetzer is still a jewish man who hides in the. Markus zusak is the international bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief and most recently, bridge of clay. I love the way he knows what he wants and goes to get it. The book thief, is finally getting the release it deserves. Based on the bestseller by markus zusak, this film looks like a creepy new version of the anne frank story, writes peter bradshaw.
But the movie about a girl adopted by a german couple during world war ii also crystallizes the perils of. A billion or so flavors colors, none of them quite the same, and a sky to slowly suck on. Heidi and markus zusak took part in the below conversation via email in spring 2012. Geoffrey rush shines on the red carpet for the book thief rush chats with sarah knight adamson about his film career and the role that changed his life. Nov 07, 20 the book thief movie is about to premiere but what does author markus zusak think about the highly anticipated adaptation. Interview with markus zusak actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. He is a british actor, but in recent years, he has worked steadily in movies produced by american studios. Because this novel is written from the point of view of the germans, readers may find themselves sympathizing with characters that were historically on the other side. The first time he saw the book thief, he says, was on a train. The film is about liesel, sophie nelisse who is handed over by her mother, to a foster family in preworld war ii nazi. Interviews with the book thief movie hitting theaters this weekend, markus zusaks beloved novel is very much in the zeitgeist and i was lucky enough to hear markus speak about his book and the film twice last week, both at a signing and at a press roundtable with the films. The book thief, starring geoffrey rush and emily watson, is perhaps the most vapid depiction of nazi germany that hollywood has yet cooked up 2. The book thief discussion questions chicago public library.
About the author alicia leblanc is the administrative and editorial a ssistant for the unitarian universalist. The book thief has the use of nazis in movies reached the point of being pornographic. There are many scenes of violence, from the way the nazis treat jews, to schoolyard fights, to recurring bomb threats. Amber gochoel interviews actors sophie nelisse and geoffrey rush and director brian percival about their new movie the book thief which will be in theaters november 15th, 20. The official website of the book thief your spot for the latest on markus zusak and the book thief united states holocaust memorial museum this site provides concise information and is a great quick reference for many of the events alluded to in the novel. Set against the backdrop of world war ii germany, the book thief is a compelling and moving story about a young girl sophie nelisse who is taken in by foster parents geoffrey rush and emily watson. With sophie nelisse, geoffrey rush, emily watson, ben schnetzer. Name some acts of resistance in the book, from large to small. I recently sat down with stars geoffrey rush and sophie nelisse, director brian. Nov 11, 20 after screening the complete version of the book thief for a public audience for the first time the night before at the chicago international film festival as part of its entrance into this years oscar derby, the three sat down to talk about the film, the importance of filming a movie of this type in germany and the challenges of translating the story from the page to the screen.
After tragedy strikes her family, liesel is adopted by kindhearted workingclass painter hans hubermann geoffrey rush and his strict but loving wife rose emily watson. Following an extraordinary evening presenting the film at the u. Nov 27, 20 cast, director moved by the book thief by jessica zack. My friend markus zusak was born to write this riotous australian epic sat, oct, 2018, 06.
Geoffrey rush interview on the red carpet for the book thief. Sophie nelisse talks carrying the book thief and pelting. Whom ever finds this book rubbish should not be allowed to ever read a book. How did you find out that your book was going to be made into a movie. Jan 01, 2016 the edition of the book thief i read is the 10th year anniversary, so there is an interview with markus zusak at the end of the story. Amber gochoel interviews actors sophie nelisse and geoffrey rush and director brian percival about their new movie the book thief which. His work is translated into more than forty languages, and has spent more than a decade on the new york times bestseller list, establishing zusak as one of the most successful authors to come out of australia. Taught to read by her kindhearted foster father, the girl begins borrowing. The bit that i really looked at in the book, and it. Set in germany in the years 19391943, the book thief tells the story of liesel, narrated by death who has in his possession the book she wrote about these years. After the book thief, a novel that has been a lifetime in the making john boyne. Director brian percival, who introduced the film, joined stars sophie nelisse, who plays liesel, the title character, geoffrey rush, who plays hans, her foster father, and the young australian author of. Sophie nelisse was born in windsor, ontario, but moved to montreal with her family when she was just age four.
Holocaust museum, with survivors in the audience, some of the people behind the book thief sat down for an interview. Nov 20, 20 i had the pleasure of being involved with a roundtable interview for the upcoming film the book thief with director brian percival, star of the film sophie nelisse, and author of the bestselling book, markus zusak. I am 74 years old and this would be in my top 3 books of all my life of reading retired librarian. Readers of the book thief may be familiar with fictionalized and nonfiction accounts of world war ii from the viewpoint of the allies or of european jews who were forced into hiding during the conflict. Geoffrey rush and sophie nelisse sit down with andrew freund duration.
It was adapted into a 20 feature film of the same name plot. Nov 22, 20 the book thief, based on the novel by markus zusak, follows the story of adolescent book thief liesel meminger sophie nelisse during the time of nazi germany. While some observers might say that line was crossed long ago, others may find that conclusive proof arrives in brian percivals the book thief, based on an international bestseller that the new york times jibed as harry potter and the holocaust. Get free homework help on markus zusaks the book thief. The book thief has been on the new york times young adult best seller. Feb 25, 2014 markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers questions from guardian childrens books site members about the film of his book, which is released this week. Death introduces himself as the narrator of the novel.
In 20, the book thief was made into a major motion picture, and in 2018 was voted one of americas alltime favorite books, achieving the 14th position on the pbs great american read. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief. Sep 01, 2005 this is a book to treasure, a new classic. Death, a male voice who over the course of the book proves to be a morose yet caring character, the plot follows. The book thief films biggest hurdle was death film. While subjected to the horrors of world war ii germany, young liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. I wasnt aware a german studio produced book thief but its possible fox provided a lot of financing for the production budget.
But before you see this wonderfully nuanced film, read our interviews with the cast. Interview with the book thief actors and director youtube. Markus zusaks the book thief, set in germany during world war ii, follows young liesel meminger as she struggles with the loss of her mother and brother and must go to live with foster parents, hans and rosa hubermann. Published in 2005, the book thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. The book thief author markus zusak on bridge of clay.
From hans to liesel to the mayors wife, discuss how some of the characters in the book thief deal with their past. Cast, director moved by the book thief houston chronicle. After holding its regional premiere two weeks ago at the lone star film festival and opening in limited release, the book thief, is finally getting the release it deserves. The author chats to us about the film, the book and the power of storytelling. Color imagery in the book thief by pritam kanthala on prezi. But before you see this wonderfully nuanced film, read our interviews with the cast and filmmakers.
Also in 2018, bridge of clay was selected as a best book of the year in publications ranging from entertainment weekly to the wall street journal. Based on the beloved international bestselling book, the book thief tells the story of an extraordinary, spirited young girl sent to live with a foster family in wwii germany. Feb 18, 2020 parents need to know that the book thief is a historical drama set in wwii germany based on the bestselling youngadult novel by australian author markus zusak. The inspiring drama was directed by brian percival and is based on the bestselling book by australian novelist markus zusak.
The exquisite use of the english language had me spellbound right from the first page. It takes the edge off the stress, zusak 4 black black symbolizes the absence of color. The book thief interview with sophie nelisse, director brian. The book thief is a 20 war drama film directed by brian percival and starring geoffrey rush, emily watson, and sophie nelisse. This guide is useful for exploring topics including history, citizenship, politics, literacy, pshe education and. A lot of the movie hinges on the relationship between hans and lieselthe film is set against this epic backdrop but it is this intimate relationship. For her performance in the film, she won a genie and a jutra award for best supporting actress.
I sold the rights to the turn the book into a film right. Oct 12, 2018 published in 2005, the book thief would go on to be developed into a feature film, win several major awards, and sell more than 15 million copies worldwide. Author markus zusak on set movie interview duration. The book thief interview with sophie nelisse, director. The film is about a young girl living with her adoptive german family during the nazi era. Nov 15, 20 the book thief is a very personal story for zusak, whose german mother was a young girl during the holocaust. Andrew scott and ben schnetzer talk about gay film, pride. Geoffrey rush interview the book thief time out film. Markus zusak on the book thief november 7, 20 posted in. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief video.
Geoffrey rush and sophie nelisse sit down with andrew freund. A film guide that looks at the book thief 20 which tells the story of liesel, an extraordinary and courageous young girl sent to live with a foster family in world war two germany. She began her career at the age of seven in commercials, then made her movie debut at age 10 in the 2012 frenchcanadian film monsieur lazhar. After the book thief, a novel that has been a lifetime.
Had you read the bookthief before being chosen to play liesel. The next time he saw her was when he came for a pilot who had crashed his plane. After the book thief, a novel that has been a lifetime in. Percival sat for an interview with his films costars.
Geoffrey rush and sophie nelisse talk the book thief, meeting for the first time, how familiar they were with the book, and tackling tough scenes by sheila roberts november 5, 20 share tweet. Do you have a favorite scene or section that couldnt make it into the movie. I do try to enjoy every color i see the whole spectrum. Markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers questions from guardian childrens books site members about the film of his. The film is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by markus zusak and adapted by michael petroni.