The Pawnbroker (1964) is a poignant drama about grief, trauma, and survival, centered on Sol Nazerman (Rod Steiger), a bitter and emotionally detached Holocaust survivor who runs a pawnshop in a decaying neighborhood of Harlem. Haunted by memories of losing his family in the concentration camps, Sol isolates himself from the world, rejecting personal connections and compassion.
As he interacts with his diverse and struggling clientele, cracks begin to appear in Sol’s hardened exterior. When his business becomes entangled with the local underworld, he is forced to confront the pain he has long suppressed.
With its unflinching portrayal of post-Holocaust trauma and urban despair, The Pawnbroker is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of human resilience, the burden of memory, and the struggle to find redemption in a fractured world. At the heart of this groundbreaking film is Rod Steiger’s deeply moving performance, which anchors the first American movie to depict the Holocaust from the perspective of a survivor.
The Humanist Cinema of Sidney Lumet
Corruption, racism, moral decline – these were the themes that American director Sidney Lumet explored in his films. Lumet created entertainment in the first place, but never just entertainment. Lumet’s films are thought provoking examinations of modern society. The combination of amusement and social engagement was already evident in Lumet’s feature film debut, 12 Angry Men (1958), an iconic courtroom drama in which a white jury deliberates on the verdict of a Puerto Rican defendant. With classic films like Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and Network (1976), Lumet delivered sharp critiques of the media that have only grown more relevant over time. See these and other films this winter in De Balie!

7 films by Lumet between Dec 27 and January
From 12 Angry Men to Dog Day Afternoon and Network: revisit the greatest films by American master Sidney Lumet in De Balie. Corruption, racism, moral decline – these were the themes that American director Sidney Lumet explored in his films. Lumet created entertainment in the first place, but never just entertainment. Lumet’s films are thought

The Humanist Cinema of Sidney Lumet
In his feature film debut Sidney Lumet delivers a gripping courtroom drama and a powerful exploration of justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of group decision-making.

The Humanist Cinema of Sidney Lumet
Mixing political and personal drama, Running on Empty tells the poignant story of the Pope family, who have been living in hiding for years.
