Playing for Time (1980) on Netflix
Fania Fénelon, a Jewish singer and pianist in Paris, is deported to Auschwitz during World War II. Recognized as a musician, she joins the camp's women's orchestra, led by Alma Rosé.
- Netflix3.7/5
- IMDb7.3/103,035 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
Plot summary
In Paris, the Jewish singer and pianist Fania Fénelon is deported by the Nazis in a crowded train to Auschwitz with other prisoners during World War II. Guards take the arrivals' clothes and belongings and shave their heads, and the prisoners are processed into the camp. Once Fania is recognized as a well-known musician, she avoids hard manual labor and is placed in the camp's female orchestra, which performs for the Nazis. Alma Rosé leads the group, and Fania grows close to her and to the other players. The musicians receive better treatment than the other prisoners, yet playing for their captors costs the women their dignity, and many of them question whether survival is worth the treatment they endure.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Playing for Time (1980)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Producer Linda Yellen insisted on casting Vanessa Redgrave as Fania Fénelon while the actress faced protests from Jewish organizations over her criticism of Zionism and pro-Palestinian stance; security was required at rehearsals and Yellen's office was broken into.
- The film was initially banned in Israel because of Vanessa Redgrave's political views; she appealed to Jordan's culture minister to buy the rights and show it on Jordanian television, wanting both Arabs and Israelis to see it.
- Fénelon herself went on CBS's 60 Minutes to argue against Vanessa Redgrave's casting as her, suggesting Jane Fonda or Liza Minnelli as a replacement.
- The cast rehearsed in New York City and then filmed in Pennsylvania on a six-week schedule; at the halfway stage of shooting, the producers decided to replace director Joseph Sargent with Daniel Mann.
- The film is notable as one of the first film productions in which an ensemble of actresses shaved their heads for the sake of their roles.
- Playing for Time was based on Fania Fénelon's experience as a female prisoner in Auschwitz, where she and a group of classical musicians were spared in return for performing music for their captors.
