Persian Lessons

In Nazi-occupied Belgium, Jewish concentration camp inmate Gilles Cramer pretends to be Persian to survive. He is tasked by SS officer Klaus Koch to teach him Persian, a language Gilles invents using a fabricated vocabulary list. As their relationship deepens, Gilles must continue his dangerous charade while navigating the brutal realities of the camp and the moral complexities of his survival.

Persian Lessons received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its unique premise and strong performances, particularly from Nahuel Pérez Biscayart. However, some found the film's tone uneven and questioned the historical plausibility of certain plot elements. Audience reception was generally favorable, appreciating the film's emotional impact and its exploration of survival under extreme duress.

• Praised for its inventive and compelling premise centered on language as a tool for survival.
• Commended for the powerful central performance by Nahuel Pérez Biscayart.
• Criticized by some for a narrative that strains credulity at times.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's original concept and emotional weight, finding the performances engaging and the story thought-provoking, although a minority found certain plot points to be unrealistic.

Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 35th Golden Tomato Awards.

The fictional Persian language created for the film was meticulously developed by screenwriter Ilya Zhitomirskiy, who sadly passed away before the film's completion.