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Synonymes

Synonyms | Synonyme
Competition 2019
© Guy Ferrandis / SBS Films
In Paris, things do not exactly get off to a good start for Yoav. He knocks on the door of a flat, only to discover the place is empty and, while he is taking a bath there, his things are stolen. Yet this young Israeli had arrived with such great expectations. He is determined to get rid of his nationality as quickly as possible. For him, being Israeli is like a tumour that has to be surgically removed. Becoming French, on the other hand, would quite simply mean his salvation. In order to erase his origins, Yoav first tries to replace his language. From now on, he will not utter a single word of Hebrew. The dictionary becomes his constant companion. The necessary visits to the Israeli embassy annoy him; he finds his compatriots to be a total burden. But the naturalisation test also has its pitfalls. And the young French couple whom he befriends has some rather strange ideas about how to help him.
Based on his own experiences, Nadav Lapid explores the challenges of putting down roots in a new place. His attempt to find himself awakens past demons and opens up an existential abyss. A tragicomic puzzle that wisely knows how to keep its secrets.
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by Nadav Lapid
with Tom Mercier, Quentin Dolmaire, Louise Chevillotte France / Israel / Germany 2019 French 123’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Tom Mercier (Yoav)
  • Quentin Dolmaire (Emile)
  • Louise Chevillotte (Caroline)

Crew

Director Nadav Lapid
Screenplay Nadav Lapid, Haïm Lapid
Cinematography Shaï Goldman
Editing Era Lapid, François Gédigier, Neta Braun
Sound Design Sandy Notarianni, Christophe Vingtrinier
Sound Marina Kertesz
Production Design Pascale Consigny
Costumes Khadija Zeggaï
Make-Up Noa Yehonatan
Assistant Director Justinien Schricke
Casting Stéphane Batut, Orit Zulay
Production Manager Marianne Germain
Producers Saïd Ben Saïd, Michel Merkt
Co-Producers Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler, Janine Jackowski, Jonas Dornbach, Maren Ade, Olivier Père, Rémi Burah
Co-Production Pie Films Tel Aviv
Komplizen Film Berlin
Arte France Cinema Issy-les-Moulineaux

World Sales

SBS International

Produced by

SBS Films

Photos

Press Conference

Red Carpet

Nadav Lapid

© Guy Ferrandis SBS Films

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1975, this director and screenwriter studied philosophy at Tel Aviv University. After military service, he moved to Paris before returning to Israel to take a degree at the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School in Jerusalem. His short film Kvish (Road) screened in the 2005 Panorama. His debut feature film Policeman won the Special Jury Prize at Locarno in 2011 while The Kindergarten Teacher featured in the 2014 Semaine de la Critique at Cannes. In 2015, Lama? (Why?) screened in Berlinale Shorts. He is a recipient of the French Order Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

Filmography

2003 Proyect gvul; short film 2005 Kvish (Road); short film 2006 Ha-chavera shell Emile (Emile’s Girlfriend); short film 2011 Policeman 2013 Footsteps in Jerusalem; documentary 2014 The Kindergarten Teacher · Love Letters to Cinema; short film · Lama?; short film 2016 The Diary of a Wedding Photographer; short film 2019 Synonymes (Synonyme)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2019