Everything Is Illuminated (2005)

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106 min - Comedy | Drama - 16 September 2005 (USA)

7.5

Ratings: 7.5/10 from 26,592 users Metascore: 58/100
Reviews: 164 user | 107 critic | 35 from Metacritic.com

A young Jewish American man endeavors to find the woman who saved his grandfather during World War II in a Ukrainian village, that was ultimately razed by the Nazis, with the help of an eccentric local.

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6 wins & 4 nominations See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
	Eugene Hutz	...	Alex
	Elijah Wood	...	Jonathan Safran Foer
	Jonathan Safran Foer	...	Leaf Blower
	Jana Hrabetova	...	Jonathan's Grandmother
	Stephen Samudovsky	...	Jonathan's Grandfather Safran
	Ljubomir Dezera	...	Young Jonathan
	Oleksandr Choroshko	...	Alexander Perchov, Father
	Gil Kazimirov	...	Igor
	Zuzana Hodkova	...	Alex's Mother
	Mikki	...	Sammy Davis Jr. Jr.
	Mouse	...	Sammy Davis Jr. Jr.
	Boris Leskin	...	Grandfather
	Robert Chytil	...	Breakdancer
	Jaroslava Sochova	...	Woman on Train
	Sergei Ryabtsev	...	Ukrainian Band Member (as Sergej Rjabcev)

Full cast and crew »

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Storyline

A young Jewish American flies to the Ukraine in search of his grandfather's past. He has a photograph and the name of a village. He hires the Odessa Heritage Tours, made up of a gruff old man and his English-speaking grandson. The three, plus grandfather's deranged dog, travel in an old car from Odessa into Ukraine's heart. Jonathan, the American, is a collector, putting things he finds into small plastic bags, so he will remember. Alex, the interpreter, is an archetypal wild and crazy guy. Alex asks the old man, "Was there anti-Semitism in the Ukraine before the war?" Will they find the village? The past illuminates everything. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Taglines:

Leave Normal Behind.

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images/violence, sexual content and language See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »

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Details

Official Sites:

Warner Independent Pictures [United States] | Add/edit official sites »

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian | Ukrainian

Release Date:

16 September 2005 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Alles ist erleuchtet See more »

Filming Locations:

Odessa, Ukraine See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$66,806 (USA) (18 September 2005) (6 Screens)

Gross:

$1,705,595 (USA) (27 November 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP), Telegraph Films, Big Beach Films See more »

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

See full technical specs »

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The blue car used throughout the movie is a Trabant 601 Kombi/Estate. See more »

Goofs

Crew or equipment visible: In one scene when they are driving, you can see the car which is carrying the film/sound crew, over the grandfather's shoulder. See more »

Quotes

Alex: This is not so unusual.
Jonathan: What?
Alex: Not knowing.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Several songs are credited to the New York punk/Gypsy/Jewish klezmer band, Gogol Bordello, which is led by Eugene Hutz, who plays Alex in the film (the same band greets Jonathan when he arrives on the train). The last of these songs, "Start Wearing Purple (For Me Now)," which plays over the end credits, is credited to both a correct spelling (Gogol Bordello), dg and Gogol Bodello, an incorrect spelling.
See more »

Connections

References Sin City (2005) See more »

Soundtracks

"Amari Szi, Amari"
Written by Keren Chave
Performed by Csokolom
Arranged by Anti Von Klewitz and Tradition Music Co.
Courtesy of Arhoolie Records See more »

Everything Is Illuminated (2005)

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Parents Guide:

Details

Official Sites:

Country:

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Also Known As:

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Box Office

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Opening Weekend:

Gross:

Company Credits

Production Co:

Technical Specs

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Aspect Ratio:

Did You Know?

Trivia

Goofs

Quotes

Crazy Credits

Connections

Soundtracks