Simon, a thirty-something man, in Belgium, is seen arriving to his father's building. His wife, the fiery dancer Corazon, has thrown him out of the place they shared together. Ernest, the father is not too happy to get the unwanted company after being a widower for a long time. Simon hates everything about his father's life, down to the fact the old man reuses the tea bags and other annoying habits.
Ernest enlists his brother Maurice and sister Mala to try to get a nice Jewish girl for Simon. They never cared for Corazon, but they love little Hadrien, whom they call Schmuli. Their matchmaking efforts are not welcome by Simon, who feels Ernest and his siblings are interfering in his life. When Ernest suddenly passes away, his surviving brothers reveal something from the dead man's past that stuns Simon: Ernest was married in Russia many years before he met Simon's mother. So now, they want Simon to do the right thing by taking the father back to rest with the first wife.
Thus, finding the right person to transfer the body becomes imperative. When the charges for the service comes to 30,000 Euros, Simon, who is broke, decides to take it upon himself to get his father to his final resting place. Along the way, accompanied by Maurice, Mala and little Hadrien, Simon will discover a world he has given for granted. Passing Auschwitz becomes a sobering experience. The long road to Ostrov gives Simon a different perspective in life.
"Simon Konianski" a modest Belgian film was shown recently on a French cable channel. Conceived and directed by Micha Wald, it is a simple story about a man at the crossroads of his life. His own Jewish background has been forgotten along the way, in contrast with that of his father, his relatives and friends that saw the bad times and the extermination of most of their relatives and friends. These people are survivors who will never forget. The film first half deals with Simon's non acceptance of his roots, while the second half becomes a road movie bringing the father to his native birthplace.
The director gets good ensemble acting from his cast, most of them unknown to this viewer. Jonathan Zaccai does a fine turn as he portrays the title role. Popeck is seen as Ernest, whom is shown as a Jewish stereotype. Young Nassim Ben Abdelmoumen is perfect as little Hadrien. The supporting cast are fun to watch. In the background Mr. Wald plays some 1950s Cuban music that stands in contrast with the action and the era where it takes place.
Ernest enlists his brother Maurice and sister Mala to try to get a nice Jewish girl for Simon. They never cared for Corazon, but they love little Hadrien, whom they call Schmuli. Their matchmaking efforts are not welcome by Simon, who feels Ernest and his siblings are interfering in his life. When Ernest suddenly passes away, his surviving brothers reveal something from the dead man's past that stuns Simon: Ernest was married in Russia many years before he met Simon's mother. So now, they want Simon to do the right thing by taking the father back to rest with the first wife.
Thus, finding the right person to transfer the body becomes imperative. When the charges for the service comes to 30,000 Euros, Simon, who is broke, decides to take it upon himself to get his father to his final resting place. Along the way, accompanied by Maurice, Mala and little Hadrien, Simon will discover a world he has given for granted. Passing Auschwitz becomes a sobering experience. The long road to Ostrov gives Simon a different perspective in life.
"Simon Konianski" a modest Belgian film was shown recently on a French cable channel. Conceived and directed by Micha Wald, it is a simple story about a man at the crossroads of his life. His own Jewish background has been forgotten along the way, in contrast with that of his father, his relatives and friends that saw the bad times and the extermination of most of their relatives and friends. These people are survivors who will never forget. The film first half deals with Simon's non acceptance of his roots, while the second half becomes a road movie bringing the father to his native birthplace.
The director gets good ensemble acting from his cast, most of them unknown to this viewer. Jonathan Zaccai does a fine turn as he portrays the title role. Popeck is seen as Ernest, whom is shown as a Jewish stereotype. Young Nassim Ben Abdelmoumen is perfect as little Hadrien. The supporting cast are fun to watch. In the background Mr. Wald plays some 1950s Cuban music that stands in contrast with the action and the era where it takes place.
