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Jojo Rabbit 2019
Black comedyComing-of-ageComing-of-age comedy-drama
A 2019 satirical comedy-drama film, Jojo Rabbit was written and directed by Taika Waititi, based on Christine Leunens' 2008 novel Caging Skies. Roman Griffin Davis appears in his first movie role as Johannes "Jojo" Betzler, a ten-year-old member of the Hitler Youth. His mother, Scarlett Johansson, is hiding a Jewish girl, Thomasin McKenzie, in their home's attic. Jojo begins to question his beliefs after discovering this secret. He also interacts with an imaginary figure — a childish, quirky version of Adolf Hitler (played by Waititi), who speaks humorously about wartime politics. The cast includes Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, and Alfie Allen.
Waititi composed the script in 2011, shortly after his mother shared the concept from Caging Skies. His initial draft reflected a darker tone with little comedy; it was only during revisions that the character of Hitler was introduced. He remembered pitching the idea as a difficult task. In 2012, the screenplay was listed on the Black List and stayed in development for years until Fox Searchlight Pictures took an interest in it. Principal photography began in the Czech Republic in May 2018, wrapping up after two months. Visual effects were added during post-production, with editing handled by Tom Eagles. The soundtrack was composed by Michael Giacchino.
The film premiered worldwide at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2019 and earned the Grolsch People's Choice Award. It opened in U.S. theaters on October 18. Critics gave it generally positive feedback, although some found its use of humor regarding Nazism to be divisive. The film was recognized by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute as one of the top ten movies of 2019. It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and received five other nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Trailer
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Cast
- Roman Griffin DavisJohannes "Jojo" Betzler
- Thomasin McKenzieElsa Korr
- Taika Waititi"Adolf Hitler"
- Rebel WilsonFräulein Rahm
- Stephen MerchantHerman Deertz
- Alfie AllenUnteroffizier Freddy Finkel
- Archie YatesYorki
- Luke Brandon FieldDeutsches Jungvolk senior Christoph
- Sam HaygarthDeutsches Jungvolk senior Hans
- Stanislav Callasa Russian soldier
- Gabriel AndrewsHerr Klum
- Joe WeintraubHerr Junker
- Brian CaspeHerr Mueller
- Billy RaynerHerr Frosch
- Judith GeorgiGerman Translator
- Christian HolwingsBazooka Boy
- Gilby and Hardy Griffin DavisHitler Youth doubles in the care of Fräulein Rahm
- Curtis Matthewa Deutsches Jungvolk camp doctor
- Robert EastHerr Grusch
Crew
- Director
- Taika Waititi
- Screenplay
- Taika Waititi
- Producer
- Carthew Neal, Taika Waititi, Chelsea Winstanley
- Cinematography
- Mihai Mălaimare Jr.
- Editing
- Tom Eagles
- Music
- Michael Giacchino
Details
- Production
- Defender Films, Fox Searchlight Pictures (United States), Waititi
- Distributor
- Fox Searchlight Pictures (United States)
- Budget
- $14 million
- Box office
- $93.6 million
