The Devil's Arithmetic (film)

The Devil's Arithmetic is a 1999 television film based on the young adult novel of the same name by Jane Yolen. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as Hannah Stern, a modern-day Jewish American teenager who is mysteriously transported back in time to 1942 Poland during the Holocaust.

Hannah, detached from her Jewish heritage and annoyed by her family's focus on remembrance, is participating in a Passover Seder. During the traditional ritual of opening the door for Elijah, she is transported to a small Polish village and becomes Chaya Abramowicz, a young Jewish girl.

The film depicts the harsh realities of life in a Polish shtetl and the increasing Nazi persecution of the Jewish population. Chaya and her newfound friends and family are rounded up by the Nazis and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp.

The majority of the film takes place within Auschwitz, showcasing the brutal conditions, starvation, disease, and constant threat of death faced by the prisoners. Chaya, having knowledge of the future, tries to warn those around her, but her attempts are largely futile. She experiences firsthand the horrors of the Holocaust, witnessing the dehumanization and systematic murder of innocent people.

Ultimately, Chaya makes a selfless decision to trade places with her friend Rivka, saving Rivka's life while sacrificing her own. In doing so, Hannah is returned to her own time, forever changed by her experience and with a renewed appreciation for her heritage and the importance of remembering the Holocaust.

The film is noted for its depiction of the Holocaust from the perspective of a young person and its use of time travel as a narrative device to explore themes of memory, identity, and the importance of bearing witness to history. It aims to educate viewers, particularly young adults, about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice and intolerance.