Simon and the Oaks (DVD REVIEW)
Simon and the Oaks
(Simon och ekarna)
DVD Review
by Kam Williams
Surrealistic Saga Explores Coming-of-Age Jewish in Sweden during WWII
Set in Sweden in 1939, Simon & the Oaks is a surrealistic, coming-of-age saga which
unfolds against the backdrop of World War II. The title character, Simon
(played by Jonatan S. Wachter, younger, then by Bill
Skarsgard) is a youngster who, at the point of departure, has no idea he’s
half-Jewish.
He
was adopted at an early age by a working-class, Swedish couple (Helen Sjoholm
and Stefan Godicke) who have not only hidden his roots, but done their best to
shield him from the horrors unfolding across Europe.
However, despite their love and support, Karin and Erik can’t help but notice
their son’s growing discontent with his lowly lot in life.
Simon
gradually evidences an insatiable curiosity that, as farmers, they simply
aren’t sophisticated enough to address satisfactorily. In fact, he becomes so
lonely that he starts talking to an oak tree in the yard and fantasizing about
the rest of his natural surroundings.
Finally,
his frustrated folks finally decide to enroll him in an upscale grammar school
where he is likely to receive the intellectual stimulation he craves. There, he
soon meets Isak (played by Karl Martin Eriksson, younger, then by Karl
Linnertorp), a Jewish classmate bullied about his ethnicity whose relatively
well-to-do family has recently escaped Nazi Germany.
The
boys become fast friends, and their families also make acquaintances, despite
the difference in social status. The plot thickens when Simon learns the truth
about his ethnic background and proceeds to make the most of the opportunity to
pursue an academic path. Isak, meanwhile, disappoints his dad (Jan Josef
Leifers) by showing more of a desire to work with his hands than his head.
Directed
by Lisa Ohlin (Seeking Temporary Wife) Simon and the Oaks is an ethereal,
introspective escapade inspired by the Marianne Fredriksson novel of the same
name. Besides the visual capture of some breathtaking cinematography, what
makes the film engaging is the stark contrast in the personas of the
blossoming, young protagonists.
A
sensitive character study chronicling the considerable challenge of coming-of-age Jewish with the specter of the Third Reich lurking just
over the horizon.
Very Good
(3 stars)
Unrated
In Swedish, German, Hebrew and English with
subtitles
Running time: 122 minutes
Distributor: RLJ
Entertainment
DVD Extras: None.
To see a trailer for Simon
and the Oaks, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80_L_LsOexE
To order a copy of Simon and the Oaks on DVD, visit:
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