Genre: Historical Drama

Language: Italian with English Subtitles

Director: Carlo Lizzani

Cast: Benjamin Sadler, Ursula Burshon, Veronica Bruni, Federico Costantini

Released: 2008

Duration: 114 Minutes

Rating: M content may disturb

Distribution: Palace Films & Raitrade

2009 Italian Golden Globes: Best Music

Based on a book by Marco Nozza detailing the true events that occurred at Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy, in September 1943, ‘Hotel Meina’ is the story of a group of 16 Italian-Greek Jews who were among holidaymakers at a luxury resort when Italy signed its armistice with the Allied Forces. 

Sudden joy that the war is over is quashed when an SS unit led by Commandant Krassler (Benjamin Sadler) marches in, takes over the Jewish owned hotel where they are staying and orders the Jews to be quartered on the fourth floor. The non-Jewish guests are allowed to continue their vacations and many do so rationalising that they have already paid and the war is over so surely everything will be all right. So begins a week of waiting and terror, peppered with brief moments of hope, and whilst an anti-Nazi sympathizer attempts to orchestrate an escape for the Jewish families, Krassler smilingly imposes his ruthless authority.

Veteran director Carlo Lizzani was a winner at the Cannes Film Festival way back in 1954 with ‘Chronicle of Poor Lovers’.

“Suspenseful story … masterful imagery.  Leaves a powerful and lasting impression.” Ray Bennett, The Hollywood Reporter.