Persian Lessons

Gilles, a Belgian Jew, decides to evade capture by falsely claiming to be Persian. Despite having no knowledge of the language, he possesses a Persian book to support his ruse.

Gilles, under the alias 'Reza', arrives at a nearby concentration camp where he faces the terrifying reality of being a prisoner. The ambitious deputy commandant, Klaus Koch, is eager to learn Persian to fulfill his dream of opening a restaurant in Tehran after the war.

In the camp, Gilles works in the kitchen, creating false Persian words to satisfy Koch's curiosity. He must keep up this act to secure his survival while navigating the dangers of camp life.

Gilles is warned by section leader Max about the imminent threat of exposure regarding his deception. This persistent pressure forces Gilles to remain vigilant and creative in maintaining his cover.

Koch assigns Gilles the difficult challenge of translating 40 words without any aids. Gilles cleverly uses a moment of waste disposal to escape briefly but is encouraged by a fellow prisoner to return to the camp.

After returning, Gilles is tasked with copying a list of new arrivals, intentionally leaving out those who died. He uses this opportunity to memorize his invented words by associating them with the names of prisoners.

Gilles' survival becomes precarious when he makes a mistake during his copying task, leading to punishment and hard labor. His condition worsens until he collapses and is sent to the camp's hospital to recover.

As the situation in the camp intensifies, Koch grows suspicious of Elsa, the reinstated bookkeeper, believing she is spreading rumors about him. In a volatile environment, he takes drastic measures and sends her to the front lines.

Gilles extends a helping hand to a deaf Italian man who suffered abuse, earning gratitude and a promise of protection from his brother. However, the environment remains dangerous and unpredictable.

Max uncovers the possibility of Gilles' deception, leading to a violent confrontation. Meanwhile, the Italian brother kills a prisoner who could expose Gilles but ultimately falls victim to Max's retaliatory actions.

As the situation worsens with the impending arrival of the American Army, Koch attempts to intervene on Gilles' behalf. Despite the risks, he deceives his superiors to save Gilles from being sent to a death camp.

Koch leads Gilles into the woods with plans to escape to Iran alone. This betrayal becomes evident when they are discovered, jeopardizing both their fates.

Arriving in Tehran, Gilles' limited knowledge of Persian leads to his arrest by local customs officials. His attempt to flee highlights the complexities and challenges of his deception.

After escaping to the American lines, Gilles is interrogated about the horrors he witnessed at the camp. His astounding ability to recall the names of 2,840 victims showcases his extraordinary memory and the personal connections he formed.