Simon & the Oaks (2011)
"Simon och ekarna" (original title)

Two boys come of age in Sweden during World War II.

Director:

Lisa Ohlin

Writers:

Linda Aronson (script consultant), Marnie Blok (screenplay),

Stars:

Bill Skarsgård, Helen Sjöholm, Jan Josef Liefers

3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Skarsgård	...	Simon Larsson
Helen Sjöholm	...	Karin Larsson, Simon's mother
Jan Josef Liefers	...	Ruben Lentov, Isak's father
Stefan Gödicke	...	Erik Larsson, Simon's father
Karl Linnertorp	...	Isak Lentov
Jonatan S. Wächter	...	Young Simon
Karl Martin Eriksson	...	Young Isak
Erica Löfgren	...	Klara
Katharina Schüttler	...	Iza
Josefin Neldén	...	Mona
Lena Nylén	...	Olga Lentov, Isak's mother
Cecilia Nilsson	...	Inga, Erik's cousin
Jan-Erik Emretsson	...	Neighbour Klas
Pär Brundin	...	Neighbour Åke
Frederik Nilsson	...	Teacher

Storyline

Epic story about two families and their friendship and common destiny in Sweden's Gothenburg in the 1940s and 1950s. Told from the perspective of young Simon Larsson, who learns that he's an adopted child who has a Jewish father from Germany. After WWII Simon travels to explore his roots - a journey that leads to the basic mysteries of the human life. After the bestselling novel by Marianne Fredriksson.

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Plot Keywords:

sweden | 1940s | coming of age | jewish refugee | male rear nudity | 

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Taglines:

Every family has a secret.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Sweden Denmark Germany Norway

Language:

Swedish German Hebrew English

Release Date:

9 December 2011 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Simon & the Oaks

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,964 (USA) (12 October 2012)

Gross:

$150,109 (USA) (16 November 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Götafilm, Asta Film, Schmidtz Katze Filmkollektiv

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Simple plot but interesting heart filled execution

Simon och ekarna – Simon & the Oaks – CATCH IT (A-) Swedish movie about two families, their friendship and common destiny in Sweden's Gothenburg in the 1940s and 1950s during World War II. The movie is told from young Simon Larsson perspective, who learns that he's an adopted child who has a Jewish father from Germany. The story in the backdrop of World War II in Sweden is really simple but what makes this interesting is the heart hitting performance by all the actors. It's just so uplifting to see how a poor father found the son he always wanted in the rich father's son and the rich father found the son he ever wanted at this poor family. Even though I loved the movie, I have to admit that the movie is much more fascinated when the kids were young. When they grow up, the relationship becomes more complicated and some of the things I didn't like e.g Simon disrespecting his mother. Though Simon was shown self centered from childhood but his leaving his mother behind led to her heart break and ultimate consequences. The performances by young Simon Jonatan S. Wächter and young Isak Karl Martin Eriksson are tremendous. Bill Skarsgård as adult Simon is great, and how he turned in to the obnoxious ungrateful person is interesting. Helen Sjöholm as Simon's mother and Isak's caretaker is such superb. I loved her portrayal. Stefan Gödicke as father of a poor family and Jan Josef Liefers Karl Linnertorp as father of the rich family are good. Overall, with stunning performance and cinematography the movie is a treat to watch.