Past Life (2016)

A haunting Israeli drama about two sisters who unravel their father's buried secrets from World War II Poland.

Past Life - Movie Information

  • Original Title: החטאים
  • Release Year: 2016
  • Directed by: Avi Nesher
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama
  • Runtime: 1h 50m
  • Original Language: Hebrew
  • Spoken Languages: English, German, Hebrew, Polish
  • Release Date (Theatrical): December 1, 2016 (Israel), June 2, 2017 (United States)
  • Alternative Titles: Hahataim (IL)
  • Production Companies: United King Films, Metro Communications, Artomas Communications, Ars Veritas, Sunshine Films
  • Production Countries: Israel, Poland, Italy, United States of America

Past Life - Plot

Two Israeli sisters delve into the dark mystery of their father's former life in Poland during World War II.

Past Life - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the emotional journey unfold:

Their father survived World War II. But the unsettling truth about how will change their family forever.

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Past Life - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Avi Nesher

Main Cast

  • Nelly Tagar
  • Joy Rieger
  • Doron Tavory
  • Evgenia Dodina
  • Tom Avni
  • Rafael Stachowiak
  • Muli Shulman
  • Katarzyna Gniewkowska
  • Gilat Ankori
  • Orna Rotenberg

Writers

  • Avi Nesher

Producers

  • Ewa Puszczyńska
  • Leon Edery
  • David M. Milch
  • Avi Nesher
  • David Silber

Past Life - FAQs

Is Past Life based on a true story?

Yes, Past Life is inspired by true events. The film draws on the real-life story of Dr. Baruch Milch, a Polish-Jewish physician who survived the Holocaust, and his daughters' journey to uncover the disturbing truths about his wartime past in occupied Poland.

Where can you stream Past Life online?

Past Life is available to stream free on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, and Plex. It is also available on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Rental and purchase options exist on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.

Who are the lead actors in Past Life?

Past Life stars Nelly Tagar as Nana Milch-Kotler and Joy Rieger as Sephi Milch, playing two sisters on a quest for truth. Doron Tavory portrays their father Baruch Milch, with Evgenia Dodina, Tom Avni, and Rafael Stachowiak rounding out the principal cast.

What is Past Life about?

Past Life follows two Israeli sisters in the 1970s who begin investigating their father's hidden past in wartime Poland. As they dig deeper, they uncover unsettling secrets about his survival during the Holocaust, forcing them to confront painful questions about identity, memory, and moral complexity.

Who directed Past Life?

Past Life was directed by Avi Nesher, one of Israel's most celebrated filmmakers. Nesher also wrote the screenplay, crafting a deeply personal narrative rooted in historical trauma, family secrets, and the enduring psychological legacy of the Holocaust on subsequent generations.

When was Past Life released?

Past Life had its Israeli theatrical release on December 1, 2016. It subsequently opened in the United States on June 2, 2017, allowing international audiences to experience this acclaimed Israeli drama about Holocaust memory and family reckoning.

How long is the film Past Life?

Past Life has a runtime of 110 minutes, or 1 hour and 50 minutes. The film uses its running time to carefully build tension and emotional depth as the two sisters piece together the disturbing fragments of their father's wartime history in Poland.

What languages is Past Life spoken in?

Past Life is a multilingual film spoken primarily in Hebrew, with significant dialogue also in English, German, and Polish. This linguistic diversity reflects the film's international scope, spanning Israeli society in the 1970s and the multilingual world of wartime and postwar Poland.

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