The Optimist

Herbert Heller keeps his experience as a teenage boy surviving in Auschwitz hidden from his family. Until he meets Abby, a young teenager whose own brush with pain and death inspires him to open up as well, leading the two of them to exchange their stories as a meaningful and healing friendship is born.

• Finn TaylorWriter
• Finn TaylorDirector

• Stephen LangHerbert Heller
• Elsie FisherAbbey
• Robin WeigertCast
• Luke David BlummYoung Herbert Heller
• Stephanie HeinerLinda
• Josh SchellCop
• Jake LucasCenturion (uncredited)