Even the most joyous weddings can be a time for melancholy reflection, and when the past intrudes on the reception for a newly married Dutch Jewish couple it brings back memories of survivor's guilt for the parents, who during World War II had abandoned their daughter to safe hiding before being forced into Nazi prison camps. The same specter of guilt haunts the rest of the party as well, with the bride and groom both entering their second marriage and each ex-spouse attending the ceremony. Just keeping all the faces straight can be quite a challenge, but if the wedding is chaotic the film itself is confident and well crafted. Stylistically it exists in that uncomfortable limbo between theater and screen: the script is full of meaningful stage dialogue, while the presentation is visually fluid. Audiences outside the film festival circuit may never get a chance to see it, but anyone looking for something more than popcorn entertainment will find it a thoughtful drama worth searching out.
Review of Leedvermaak
