What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedIda
Paweł Pawlikowski · Film · 2013
If you loved Ida, start with Generation War (Philipp Kadelbach, 2013) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Ida across media.
What hooked you in Ida was the way personal identity is inextricably tangled with the heavy, haunting weight of inherited historical trauma.
Books on the same thread
Poland
James Albert Michener · Book · 1984
Explores: National Identity, Intergenerational Trauma, Resilience.
Like Ida, this sweeping saga explores how national identity and intergenerational trauma shape the lives of individuals, bridging the gap between grand historical events and intimate family secrets.
Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad · Book · 2014
Explores: Imperialism and exploitation, Moral ambiguity, Descent into madness.
If the moral ambiguity and existential isolation in Ida captured your imagination, this journey into the darkness of human nature offers a similarly profound psychological and atmospheric exploration.
History
Elsa Morante · Book · 2015
Explores: the plight of the subaltern, history from below, the dehumanizing effects of war.
Much like the stark, devastating revelations in Ida, this novel examines how the dehumanizing effects of war and systemic history fundamentally alter the lives of ordinary people.
Atonement
Ian McEwan · Book · 2007
Explores: Guilt and Atonement, Childhood Trauma, Class Conflict.
The way memory and perception cloud the truth in Ida is echoed here, as this story navigates the heavy burden of guilt and the lifelong consequences of past actions.
Series on the same thread
Generation War
Philipp Kadelbach · Series · 2013
Explores: Loss of Innocence, The Horrors of War, Friendship Tested.
This series mirrors the loss of innocence found in Ida, focusing on how the catastrophic events of war test personal faith and fracture the lives of young people.
The Young Pope
Paolo Sorrentino · Series · 2016
Explores: faith and doubt, power dynamics, corruption.
Those drawn to the quiet intensity of faith and doubt in Ida will appreciate this deep dive into the power dynamics and spiritual crises within a rigid institution.
Alias Grace
Sarah Polley · Series · 2017
Explores: Female Protagonist, Memory and Trauma, Social Class.
Like the protagonist of Ida, Grace is caught in a web of memory and trauma, forcing you to reconcile a mysterious past with the harsh realities of history.
SKAM
Julie Andem · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Ida: Identity.
If the coming-of-age journey in Ida resonated with you, this series offers a modern, intimate look at how young people navigate their identity amidst personal and social scandals.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
The way Ida uncovers buried historical truths is central to this podcast, which examines how the legacy of the past continues to define our modern sense of identity.
Inherited
Podcast
Shares a thread with Ida: identity.
This podcast explores the same themes of self-discovery and cultural heritage that drive the narrative of Ida, focusing on how our ancestry shapes our present-day sense of self.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Ida based on a true story?
Ida is a 2013 film directed by Paweł Pawlikowski. It follows a young novitiate in 1960s Poland who discovers a family secret from the German occupation. The narrative focuses on the protagonist's journey as she prepares to take her religious vows while uncovering her hidden past.
What is the primary conflict in Ida?
The central conflict in Ida occurs when a young novitiate named Anna discovers a long-held family secret dating back to the German occupation of Poland. This revelation happens just as she is preparing to take her vows, forcing her to confront her history before committing to her religious life.
When does the story of Ida take place?
The events in Ida take place during the 1960s in Poland. The plot centers on a young woman named Anna who is on the verge of taking her religious vows when she learns about a family secret originating from the period of the German occupation.
Who is the main character in Ida?
The main character in Ida is a young novitiate named Anna. As she approaches the time to take her religious vows, she embarks on a journey to uncover a family secret that dates back to the years of the German occupation in Poland.