With today’s announcement that Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” will have its debut at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, the filmmaker decided it would be the appropriate time to release a teaser for his highly-anticipated World War II comedy featuring himself as Adolf Hitler.
That’s right, a WWII comedy with Waititi playing Hitler. And before you recoil in fear, as you might when you hear that idea, don’t worry. As seen in the teaser, the same level of comedy and skilled storytelling that Waititi is known for is on display in “Jojo Rabbit.”
The film follows the story of a young German boy named Jojo that is teased for being a scared rabbit by his Nazi Youth friends. So, how does the boy cope? Well, he enlists the help of his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, who of course gives him all the encouragement you’d expect to help him grow as a young man. As you will no doubt gather from the footage, “Jojo Rabbit” is not here to teach you anything about WWII or about the Germans. Instead, it looks like a twisted, hilarious coming-of-age tale that just so happens to feature one of the most hated men in the history of the world.
Based on the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens “Jojo Rabbit” stars Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, Alfie Allen, Sam Rockwell, and Scarlett Johansson.
“Jojo Rabbit” will debut at TIFF 2019 and in theaters, for the folks that can’t make the fest, on October 18.
Here’s the TIFF synopsis:
Taika Waititi directs a riotous cast — including Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, and Alfie Allen — in this equally daring, droll, and touching story of a young German boy who discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his home and consults with his imaginary best friend, Adolf Hitler (Waititi).
From "Visionistical" director, Teeka Wachichi, here's a "teezer traylor", for my anti-hate satire, #JojoRabbit, in theaters October 18. @rebelwilson @alfieeallen #ThomasinMcKenzie #RomanGriffinDavis @stephenmerchant #samrockwell #scarlettjohansson @jojorabbitmovie #visionistical pic.twitter.com/8o8X8cyJTD
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) July 23, 2019
Here's a poster.#JojoRabbit is an official selection of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. #TIFF19@jojorabbitmovie#JojoRabbit@RebelWilson @AlfieEAllen @StephenMerchant #ThomasinMcKenzie #RomanGriffinDavis #SamRockwell #ScarlettJohansson pic.twitter.com/XWycFn9bgM
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) July 23, 2019