Leon the Pig Farmer (1992)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Directors:

Vadim Jean
Gary Sinyor

Writers:

Michael Normand (written by)
Gary Sinyor (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 1993 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

An irreverent comedy is set in motion when Leon Geller, a sensitive Jewish boy from London, accidentally learns that his is the product of artificial insemination.

Plot Keywords:

Jewish | In Vitro Fertilization | Shirtless Male Bondage | Crucifixion | Dark Comedy

Awards:

5 wins

Cast

Mark Frankel	...	Leon Geller
Janet Suzman	...	Judith Geller
Brian Glover	...	Brian Chadwick
Connie Booth	...	Yvonne Chadwick
David de Keyser	...	Sidney Geller (as David De Keyser)
Maryam d'Abo	...	Madeleine (as Maryam D'Abo)
Gina Bellman	...	Lisa
Vincent Riotta	...	Elliot Cohen (as Vincenzo Ricotta)
Jean Anderson	...	Mrs. Samuels
John Woodvine	...	Vitelli
Annette Crosbie	...	Dr. Johnson
Stephen Greif	...	Doctor
Neil Mullarkey	...	Waiter
Burt Kwouk	...	Art Collector
Sean Pertwee	...	Keith Chadwick

Runtime:

104 min | USA:98 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:PG | Spain:T | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Clapham, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Leon the Pig Farmer Productions

Trivia:

Although the film was made for just £160,000, producer-directors Gary Sinyor and Vadim Jean found it virtually impossible to raise the money for the production. It was only that the entire cast and crew worked for nothing on deferred payment salary that they were able to make the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the clinic, Sidney's address is given as 228 The Drive, Edgware. However, when we see the house later, it is clearly number 7.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of 'Event Horizon' (2006) (V)

Jewish guilt

Jewish guilt is not a topic that I see portrayed much in movies, but "Leon the Pig Farmer" does a good job with it. Leon Geller (Mark Frankel) is a Jewish estate agent in London who one day discovers that he was the product of artificial insemination; his real father is a pig farmer. Going off to meet his "other" family, Leon has more than a few surprises! They did an interesting job here. True, non-Jews might not get all the jokes, but it's funny nonetheless. And I guess that we sometimes forget that there ARE Jews in England. Anyway, you might see if you can find this movie. You'll probably like it.

Oh, and by the way, that one character was played by Burt Kwouk (Kato from the "Pink Panther" movies).