A Costly Sacrifice

A Hidden Life, Jojo Rabbit, and their stories of ordinary people resisting the evils of Nazism.

It’s Oscar season, and among the list of nominees you’ll find A Hidden Life and Jojo Rabbit, which ended up winning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Stylistically, the films couldn’t be more different: A Hidden Life is Terrence Malick’s lyrical retelling of an Austrian farmer’s refusal to swear an oath of allegiance to the Nazis, while Jojo Rabbit is Taika Waititi’s satirical comedy starring Waititi as Hitler, the imaginary friend of the 10-year-old protagonist Jojo.

But both stories share a common theme: the need for ordinary people to stand up for what’s right, even at tremendous cost to themselves.

In this episode of Life & Faith, Simon and Justine discuss the way these films explore the ethical complexities of doing what is right, versus doing what is expedient.

They also talk to Vox film critic Alissa Wilkinson and film buff Mike Frost about hate, prejudice, and what might move ordinary people to make of themselves an extraordinary sacrifice.

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Read:

Simon Smart’s article on A Hidden Life

Mike Frost’s blog post on Terrence Malick’s movies, including A Hidden Life 

Alissa Wilkinson’s Vox reviews of A Hidden Life and Jojo Rabbit

Re-listen to Alissa Wilkinson on Life & Faith talking zombies, faith and politics.