The Optimist Movie Releases March 11. Purchase Tickets Now!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Trafalgar Releasing.

Based on a true story, THE OPTIMIST follows Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller and the unlikely friendship that transforms two lives. At 15, Herbert escaped the Auschwitz-Birkenau death march, carrying the weight of silence for six decades. When he finally breaks that silence, he forms a life-saving bond with Abby, a troubled teenager confronting her own pain. Together, they discover hope, healing, and the transformative power of being truly seen.

Directed by Finn Taylor and produced by Jeanine Thomas, THE OPTIMIST stars Stephen Lang and Elsie Fisher in an intimate, intergenerational story about trauma, memory, and healing. Lang delivers a career-defining performance opposite Fisher in a story developed over more than a decade by Thomas, who first met Heller before his passing in 2021. The film honors Heller’s legacy as an educator and survivor who shared his testimony with thousands of students nationwide.

The ensemble cast includes Luke David Blumm, Leah Pipes, Ben Geurens, Ursula Parker, Slavko Sobin, Stella Stocker, Oskar Hes, and Robin Weigert. Produced by Jeanine Thomas and Noah Lang, with executive producer Todd Slater, the film features cinematography by Antonio Riestra and Alexander Surkala and editing by Kaufmanova Olina and Rick LeCompte.

“Herbert’s story shows how one person can change countless lives,” said director Finn Taylor. Producer Jeanine Thomas added, “This film is the fulfillment of a promise to honor his truth.” Stephen Lang called the role “a profound privilege.”

Herbet Heller was born in April 1929 in Czechoslovakia. At age 12, he and his family were deported by the Gestapo to the Theresienstadt (Terezin) Ghetto, and later to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Heller began sharing his story in 2004 to students. He passed in 2021, leaving behind a story of resilience, legacy, and optimism.

While a difficult movie to watch, this movie portrays not only the horrors that people faced, but also the courage, hope, and optimism that they would survive. We witness the hope that Herbert's family has when forced to move to the ghetto, then again when forced to Auschwitz. We see, that despite many types of opposition, Herbert doesn't give up. He figures out how to survive and return to his home town.

We also witness Herbert in the future. He is obviously still struggling with his past and how that entertwines with his family life and store. He has had PTSD panic attacks, triggering flashbacks, evident when he encounters city police (that much resemble the Gestapo). He doesn't want to open up ot his family; whether ashamed or just wants to bury the past.

He didn't want to share his story either, but he did so, meeting Abbey along the way. Abbey and Herberts friendship also moved beyond just being a camera person, but encouraging and equipping each other that they can indeed, face their past and present.

Honestly, I do not know if I would have such optimist that Herbert Heller had, especially after his father was taken from him at Auschwitz, but his story of resilience, bravery, and hope inspires all of us to live the very best that we can possibly do.

This is not a feel- good family movie to watch on a Friday night after unwinding through a long week. While family- oriented, this movie is better for learning, growing, and diving deep into the complexities of the world. Various parts of the movie highlight how trauma, ptsd, and secrets contribute towards pain rather than healing. While there is hope, and ultimately healing, the fragments that have been embedded into the lives of both the characters and those watching it will make it difficult at time. I actually had to split the movie up into two sessions because it was very heavy.

Knowing the impact that this movie will have upon it's viewers, a provided discussion guide is available.

The Faith & Family discussion guide will nativgate participants through the worlds of compassion, presence, and friendship. One of my favorite parts of this movie was when Abbey, a young adult, offers Herbert the chance to share if he wished. She didn't judge, push, create an agenda, or anything else. Rather, she just listened, was curious, and gave space for silence.

Too often, we want to rush to "fix" the event/ situation in our lives. We leave little room for silence, for words and gestures to fill the air, and for healing to actually begin.

Later on, when Abbey didn't show up for Herbert's interview ending; he went to seek her out. He, in return, allowed room for sharing, presence, and healing from her.

In my world as a church-worker, the importance of intergenerational relationships is not lost on me. Children, teens, and young adults benefit from the company of senior adults, and vice versa. Sharing, in a non-judgemental way, opens up opportunities for all parties to be present and heal.

We have known, for a long time, that story is power. Sharing our stories lowers barriers, creates growth, and encourages healing. Telling our stories, especially those filled with pain and trauma, is difficult because we don't think we can trust. Trust others, trust ourselves, trust that hope does help with healing. The world tells us that we need to be resilient, that we need to be strong, but honestly; we need other people.

The discussion guide can be used to navigate various parts of both Herbert's and Abbey's lives: the pain of past events, secrecy, shame, trust, and even navigating the present.

This movie needs to be seen by your family, but be prepared for the hard conversations afterwards. Also perfect for small groups, friend groups, workshops, counseling programs, and more. Basically anyone who works with people should view this movie and work their way through some, if not all, of the discussion guide.

Mental Health, Relationships, and bringing up hard topics are all things we would like to avoid, but are very much important for those in our lives, no matter their age.

Take the time to watch this movie, listen, and encourage others to do so as well. Sharing your story might prompt others to share their story; opening up space for healing. Also, know your limits and if faciliating a discussion, be sure to have the knowledge to obtain resources as needed. Report as needed, too. As a mandated reporter, I can't stress that enough.

The Optimist is a story of courage, of faith, of trust, and of hope. The more that we have hope in each other and not in the horrors that people do act upon, the easier it gets to share our stories.

Want to see it?