The Sleeplessness of Jutka(2023)

The Sleeplessness of Jutka is a Polish drama set in the Łódź ghetto during World War II. Seven-year-old Julia believes she's on holiday, unaware that her family is imprisoned behind ghetto walls. Her grandfather attempts to help her understand their dire reality by drawing parallels to the Greek myth of the Minotaur—a labyrinth with no escape. The film weaves together the historical horrors of Nazi occupation with ancient mythology, creating a haunting meditation on childhood innocence amid atrocity. Through the grandfather's storytelling, the film explores how adults shield children from unbearable truths while grappling with impossible circumstances. The result is a poignant, subtle examination of survival, family bonds, and the power of narrative to make sense of senselessness.