Nathan-ism

Name: Nathan-ism
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2023-10-23
Duration: 1 h 19 min
Rating: 7.8

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

YOUR RATING

Documentary

For 70 years, Nathan Hilu has been unable to stop drawing. His 90-year-old mind is flooded with memories from the days when the US military assigned him to guard top Nazi war criminals at th... Read allFor 70 years, Nathan Hilu has been unable to stop drawing. His 90-year-old mind is flooded with memories from the days when the US military assigned him to guard top Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials, keeping them from committing suicide before their verdict was announce... Read allFor 70 years, Nathan Hilu has been unable to stop drawing. His 90-year-old mind is flooded with memories from the days when the US military assigned him to guard top Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials, keeping them from committing suicide before their verdict was announced. Born to a Syrian Jewish family that immigrated to the States, Hilu remembers with vivid... Read all

Director
- Elan Golod

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Elan Golod

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Photos4

User reviews2

7.820

Featured reviews

10stevenpaulsavage

Unflinching

The IMDB blurb for the movie covers most aspects of the doc, but i do want to offer an opinion. I watched it at my film festival in BIrmingham Alabama just this Saturday (Aug 26, 2023).

My friend and I were willing to leave the movie we were watching before the block where this film was shown -- fortunately we didn't have to. The theater where it was shown was packed; it wasn't the largest at the festival, but the interest meant that (sadly) many were not allowed to view it.

The honesty the filmmakers used to tell this story showed how transitory memory can be and the impact of one man obsessed with sharing what he remembers. Mr Hilu reminds me heavily of 'outsider' artists like Howard Finster and Henry Darger. Potentially mis-remembering aside, HOW he tells his stories by itself was worth the time spent.

9limeiwang

A Visual Journey into Memory

"Nathan-ism" stayed with me long after I left the theater. It's not just about history; it's a deeply human story that anyone can relate to. The cinematography is beautiful, with artistic shots and soft colors that create a calming atmosphere, perfectly balancing Nathan Hilu's chaotic and intricate drawings. This visual contrast really drew me into his world.

Even though it deals with heavy topics like the Nuremberg trials, it explores themes of memory and understanding one's past, which feel universal and relatable. The film builds suspense masterfully, and the ending not only provides closure but also prompts deep reflection on the nature of truth and the human psyche.

I believe it's a film that resonates on many levels, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a deeply moving, emotional documentary.