New England Premiere
LEA AND DARIA

Croatia, 2011, 101 minutes, Croatian with English Subtitles
Director: Branko Ivanda

View trailer

This triumphant dancing-with-the-child-stars film recreates the World War II true story of Jewish Lea Deutsch, the Shirley Temple of Zagreb's Children's Kingdom touring theater, and her best friend and German dance rival Daria Gaasteiger. Their friendship deepens as the Nazis invade and fate intervenes. Dance champions Lea and Daria were friendly competitors, but their mothers struggled with more dangerous roles - persecuted Jewish mother vs. Nazi Party member. Put on your dancing shoes but keep the tissues nearby for this lushly lensed feature starring Croatia's top dance stars, filmed in and around the majestic Zagreb Theatre.