We live in a society that constantly dehumanizes us. We fail to make connections with each other, and this lack of contact transforms the world into a meaningless place. We are in need of a remedy, and a good place to start is the film Fugitive Pieces. The film, based on Anne Michaels’ critically acclaimed novel of the same name, is written and directed by Jeremy Podeswa. Podeswa succeeds beautifully in telling a story that, although inspired by tragedy and despair, reminds us of the power of the human spirit.

The film follows the story of Holocaust survivor Jakob Beer (Stephen Dillane) and the man who rescues him, Athos Roussos (Rade Sherbedgia). A child in Poland in 1942, Jakob watches as the Nazis murder his parents and kidnap his sister, Bella. Jakob only survives by hiding in his house until the Nazis leave, whereupon he rides into the forest and hides among the leaves. Athos, a Greek archaeologist working nearby, discovers the terrified boy. Sneaking him out of Poland, Athos takes Jakob first to his home on Zakynthos, a Greek island, and then to live in Canada.

The film focuses on Jakob’s development from a traumatized boy to an adult who struggles to make sense of the past—especially his sister’s cruel fate—while simultaneously attempting to find meaning in the present. Illustrating growth with a complex story line, the film moves between various stages in Jakob’s life, depicting him as a boy, a young man in his 20s, and a mature adult. The fluid chronology allows Jakob’s story to be revealed in a carefully orchestrated manner. The focus on time and memory in Fugitive Pieces creates a rich portrait designed to help viewers understand Jakob as a multifaceted individual.

Jakob himself struggles with time—the years don’t suppress his memories, but rather keep them fresh in his mind. Athos helps Jakob with his troubles by introducing him to the therapeutic power of writing. For Jakob, writing becomes a means of articulating what he cannot express in everyday life. Although writing may help the man cope with his grief, Jakob also relies on his relationships with others—Athos, his neighbor Ben, and, eventually, his soulmate—to resolve his issues. The combination of human connection and writing helps Jakob break the cycle of weaving in and out of time.

In Jakob, Podeswa skillfully creates a character whose deep emotions leap forth from the screen and engage the audience. Both in terms of the individual character and the overarching film, the director pays extraordinary attention to detail, and every scene contributes something to the larger story. Fugitive Pieces will prove resonant long after viewers leave the movie theater.