Opening 28 Jun 2012
Directed by:
Lisa Ohlin
Writing credits:
Linda Aronson, Marnie Blok
Principal actors:
Bill Skarsgård, Helen Sjöholm, Jan Josef Liefers, Stefan Gödicke, Karl Linnertorp
Filmmaker Lisa Ohlin has created a moving and fascinating adaptation of Marianne Fredrikssson’s acclaimed novel of the same name. It is an account of the years between 1939 and the 1950s set in Sweden and Berlin. Little Simon lives with his loving parents Karin and Erik Larsson (Helen Sjöholm, Stefan Gödicke), a working-class couple. His father does not approve that he is always ”with his nose in a book”. No wonder that Simon feels out of place in his own family. As he seems intellectually gifted, he is allowed to attend school in Gothenburg where he meets Isak, the son of Ruben Lentov (Josef Liefers), the wealthy owner of a Jewish bookshop. The family fled Hitler’s Germany fearing persecution. Soon WWII breaks out, raging all over Europe. German soldiers are seen in Sweden, making life unsafe for Jews, and Isak moves to live with the Larssons. The two friends grow up together but develop very differently - Isak prefers to work with his hands, and Simon still prefers reading or listening to classical music. After the war the harmonious family life suddenly comes to an end when Simon discovers that he is adopted. Fighting his emotional confusion, he leaves his “parents” Karin and Erik, trying to find out about his roots. He moves to town, staying with the rich Lentovs, where he finds support and understanding for his deep love of music.
This powerful epos has multiple levels: two boys coming of age during the turmoil of World War II, the unique situation of Jewish people in Sweden during that time, two families merging together with their different secrets and rivalries. It is an enthralling saga combining mythology and compassion with atmospheric images by the talented cinematographer Dan Lausten. In the end Simon understands and comes to terms with the shadow of his past. The sweeping orchestral music carries strong emotions without needing any dialog.
Simon and the Oaks had its world premiere at the Filmfest Hamburg 2011 and received the Euro 10,000 Mont Blanc Award for Best Screenplay. (Birgit Schrumpf)
