Young Simon (Jonatan S. Wachter) spends most of his time reading books while perched in an gigantic oak tree. His father, Erik (Stefan Godicke), wants Simon to put down his books and learn how to fight; he also wants Simon to learn carpentry. The problem is that Simon likes books and really wants to attend a prestigious private school to learn history. Eventually, Erik makes a deal with Simon -- as long as he abandons the strange relationship he has with the oak tree, he will find a way to pay for Simon to attend the fancy school. On his first day at school, Simon instantly befriends Isak (Karl Martin Eriksson), a Jewish boy whom Simon protects from anti-Semitic bullies. (See, knowing how to fight does come in handy!) The two boys are inseparable, each of them sensing a strange kinship with each other's family. Simon is intrigued by Isak's father,...
- 10/26/2012
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Simon And The Oaks is an epic drama spanning the years 1939 to 1952, a coming-of-age story that follows a brainy Swedish boy growing up in domestic and political turmoil during World War II. It.s an engrossing film hampered by a sappy, soap-opera script which it keeps it from being as satisfying as it could be but it.s still worth seeing. Simon (Jonatan S. Wächter) lives with his working class family on the outskirts of Gothenburg but always feels out of place. He finally convinces his father to send him to a prestigious upper-class grammar school, where he meets Isak (Karl Martin Eriksson), an outcast being the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller who has fled Nazi persecution in Germany. Simon is dazzled by the books, art and music he encounters in the home of Isak’s father Ruben (Jan Josef Leifers), which makes Simon long to know more about his own family background.
- 10/26/2012
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Title: Simon and the Oaks Director: Lisa Ohlin Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jan Josef Leifers, Stefan Godicke, Helen Sjoholm, Jonatan Wachter, Karl Martin Eriksson No, this is not the story of a crayon-obsessed kid and his plot to nourish and grow seedlings of Stubhub’s “Ticket Oak,” alas. A rangy coming-of-age drama based on Marianne Fredriksson’s Swedish book of the same name, “Simon and the Oaks” spans a couple decades in telling the story of an outcast adolescent of partial and secreted Jewish heritage growing up amidst the considerable political and social turmoil of World War II. Arthouse appreciation for this attractively photographed recipient of 13 Guldbagge nominations, Sweden’s Oscar equivalent, will depend on a given [ Read More ]
The post Simon and the Oaks Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Simon and the Oaks Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 10/12/2012
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
Simon and the Oaks
Directed by Lisa Ohlin
Written by Lisa Ohlin and Marnie Blok
Sweden, 2011
During the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, young Simon Larsson (Jonatan S. Washer) and his family live in the idyllic Swedish countryside. There, he and his father (Stefan Gödicke) are at constant odds, with Simon wanting to go to grammar school and his father wanting him to be a labourer. Isolated within his own home, Simon regularly takes refuge in his books, reading them while perched on a giant oak tree. Eventually, his father capitulates to his constant appeals, and at school, Simon meets Isak (Karl Martin Eriksson), the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller (Jan Josef Liefers). As their friendship grows, and as the impending war looms, the two families come closer together, changing them in ways they’d never expect.
Saturated with the pastoral beauty of the Swedish countryside, and shot with careful and elegant poise,...
Directed by Lisa Ohlin
Written by Lisa Ohlin and Marnie Blok
Sweden, 2011
During the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, young Simon Larsson (Jonatan S. Washer) and his family live in the idyllic Swedish countryside. There, he and his father (Stefan Gödicke) are at constant odds, with Simon wanting to go to grammar school and his father wanting him to be a labourer. Isolated within his own home, Simon regularly takes refuge in his books, reading them while perched on a giant oak tree. Eventually, his father capitulates to his constant appeals, and at school, Simon meets Isak (Karl Martin Eriksson), the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller (Jan Josef Liefers). As their friendship grows, and as the impending war looms, the two families come closer together, changing them in ways they’d never expect.
Saturated with the pastoral beauty of the Swedish countryside, and shot with careful and elegant poise,...
- 10/12/2012
- by Justin Li
- SoundOnSight
Simon and the Oaks
Directed by Lisa Ohlin
Written by Lisa Ohlin and Marnie Blok
Sweden, 2011
During the late 1930’s and 1940’s, young Simon Larsson (Jonatan S. Washer) and his family live in the idyllic Swedish countryside. There, he and his father (Stefan Gödicke) are at constant odds, with Simon wanting to go to grammar school and his father wanting him to be a labourer. Isolated within his own home, Simon regularly takes refuge in his books, reading them while perched on a giant oak tree.
Eventually, his father capitulates to his constant appeals, and at school, Simon meets Isak (Karl Martin Eriksson), the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller (Jan Josef Liefers). As their friendship grows, and as the impending war looms, the two families come closer together, changing them in ways they’d never expect.
Saturated with the pastoral beauty of the Swedish countryside, and shot with careful and elegant poise,...
Directed by Lisa Ohlin
Written by Lisa Ohlin and Marnie Blok
Sweden, 2011
During the late 1930’s and 1940’s, young Simon Larsson (Jonatan S. Washer) and his family live in the idyllic Swedish countryside. There, he and his father (Stefan Gödicke) are at constant odds, with Simon wanting to go to grammar school and his father wanting him to be a labourer. Isolated within his own home, Simon regularly takes refuge in his books, reading them while perched on a giant oak tree.
Eventually, his father capitulates to his constant appeals, and at school, Simon meets Isak (Karl Martin Eriksson), the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller (Jan Josef Liefers). As their friendship grows, and as the impending war looms, the two families come closer together, changing them in ways they’d never expect.
Saturated with the pastoral beauty of the Swedish countryside, and shot with careful and elegant poise,...
- 5/14/2012
- by Justin Li
- SoundOnSight
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