WAR, DRAMA

Yenni and her family try to survive Hungary in the wake of the German occupation during WW2. After surviving the war their country is freed by the Red Army. Different restrictions come with being within a communist regime. Yet Yenni continues to learn the different networks working around the governments in order to get her evolving family what they need. In the end everyone escapes to Austria too start a new life in Australia.

FAIR

FIRST PERSON

Authors Writing Style: FAIR

Characterization: FAIR

Commerciality: FAIR

Franchise Potential: FAIR

Pace: FAIR

Premise: GOOD

Structure: GOOD

Theme: FAIR

The short summary in the profile is a snapshot of two diary like entries within the story that are the sandwich ends rather than an overview of the plot. By placing a shorter overview of Yenni's four different phases of life before the war, during the war, after the war and prepping to become an immigrant, the summary would better represent the whole of the narrative.

The unusual perspective of Hungary and its broad overview of before the war, during and after as a communist country is unique. Most English based stories focus on more well known Allies countries in WW2 or the Jewish experience while Yenni's journey are a Hungarian woman is less common.

The external threat of war is more of a vague conflict while Yenni is a child so the description of the world building lacks a visceral tension. While it is realistic that she has childish concerns before and during the war, it is unclear how the experiences of the war are changing her whether she is conscious of its effects or not.

THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

The hook is that Yenni grows up around WW2 and is then placed behind the Iron Wall. During the Cold War, Yenni's home in Hungary was right on the border so capitalist freedom and luxury was so close and yet so far.

While the market for WW2 dramas is a bit saturated, depending on the focus of the piece this could have a medium to decent audience for a period piece given the freshness of Hungary and the mystery appeal of the Cold War.

The characters react to a variety of situations with some range in emotion, but the themes and internal conflicts are not as apparent in order to stand out for nominations.

MEDIUM BUDGET

LENINGRAD, THE SHAPE OF WATER, ONCE, AN AMERICAN RHAPSODY

There is a quietness with Yenn's satisfaction in doing what needs to be done to help her family survive. She lives a normal life given her circumstances of surviving WW2 and the Cold War and she is content with being normal. It is refreshing to have a war movie without much war or espionage.

Yenni is honest and unselfish. She knows how to make herself content but change things within her means when change is needed to better her life. She is a survivalist without being an exceptionalist.

The setting and premise have a lot of potential, but the reactionary nature of much of the protagonist's life makes the internal conflict transformation unclear. The tone and genre is refreshing for a WW2 and Cold War film.

Film - Indie, Film - Streaming, Film - Studio, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series

WORK IN PROGRESS

While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.

Creating a clearer internal journeys outside of survival would create more emotional investment in the characters. THe world building is great, but discerning a theme between the different time period might better integrate into one cohesive narrative story separate from just following the protagonist as they age.