Therapy
Author
Edward Reznik
Format
Novel, 2022
480 pp
Genre
Shoah drama, psychological drama, period drama
Title
Therapy
Aesthetics
Timeless, poignant, tragic, intense, devastating, transformative
References
Shindler’s List, Steven Spielberg, 1993
The Pianist, Roman Polanski, 2002
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Mark Herman, 2008
Sophie's Choice, Alan J. Pakula, 1982
Cabare, Bob Fosse, 1972
Sales points
Shoa drama
Adapted into an English-language feature script, recognized in the Best Script category at film festivals in Berlin, Toronto, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, and Chicago.
Pitch
In pre-war Berlin, a Jewish psychologist saves a young German from suicide and offers him free therapy. Drawn to the psychologist’s daughter, the boy agrees. But as his confidence grows, he rises through the ranks of the SS at the cost of his love, while the psychologist’s family is deported to a concentration camp. Now on opposite sides of the barbed wire, the prisoner and the guard continue their therapy amidst the horrors of the Shoah. It becomes an ultimate test of the psychologist’s skill and moral strength to help his patient-turned-enemy reclaim his humanity.
Synopsis
Set in 1933 Berlin, the story follows Richard, a 19-year-old laborer and morgue assistant. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Aida, a Jewish girl with whom he shares a rare blood type, but their connection is fleeting. Haunted by his mother's suicide, Richard attempts to take his own life, only to be saved by Joachim, a Jewish psychoanalyst who offers him free therapy. Initially reluctant, Richard agrees when he discovers that Aida is Joachim's daughter. Joachim helps Richard gain self-confidence and overcome his psychological burdens, leading to a romance with Aida.
Meanwhile, high-ranking SS official Ulrich brings his son, Theo, to Joachim for treatment to address his homosexuality. When Ulrich blames Joachim for a subsequent scandal, the psychoanalyst's career – and life – is threatened.
In a surprising twist, Richard learns that Ulrich is his father. Influential officer Ulrich promotes Richard within the Nazi hierarchy. Richard no longer believes he needs therapy and cancels his appointments with Joachim. He resumes his relationship with Aida and enjoys the privileges of being an SS officer, while Aida hides her Jewish identity, feeling protected by Richard’s status.
But when Ulrich demands that his son break up with the Jewish girl, Richard obeys, and Aida returns to her parents.
As the war intensifies, Richard becomes disillusioned with the newly found father-son relationship, hoping to reunite with Aida. However, he discovers that Aida perished in the concentration camp, where Richard now serves as a guard.
Overwhelmed by grief and confronted with the horrors of the camp, Richard pleads with Joachim to resume therapy.
The story unfolds through the voices of Joachim, Richard, and Aida, as they recount their dramatic tales during the darkest period in world history.
Therapy is a piercing Shoah drama that delves into the complexities of human psyche and history.
About the author
Edward Reznik (born 1960) is a scriptwriter and playwright with twenty feature films and TV series to his name, including the prizewinning German-Ukrainian-Russian co-production Four Days in May (2011). He writes for theatre, radio, and the film industry.
His novel Therapy draws on his ten years of experience as a practicing counselor. Reznik adapted Therapy into a feature script, which was recognized in the Best Script category at film festivals in Berlin, Toronto, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, and Chicago.
Edward Reznik lives with his family in New York.