Train de vie, 1998, France Belgium/ Netherlands/ Israel/ Romania

This is an international coproduction directed by Radu Mihaileanu (see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170705/ ) that I've watched on TV the other night. The actors are French and Romanian, the director is a Romanian who lives in France since 1980. The movie won a number of prizes, including the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award in 1999 (tied with Run Lola Run!).

The movie's premise is as surreal as the one making 'La vita e' bella ! ' of Roberto Benigni possible: 'In 1941, the inhabitants of a small Jewish village in Central Europe organize a fake deportation train so that they can escape the Nazis and flee to Palestine'(to quote IMDB).

However the humour of this one is deep, intelectual and at times the type of humour based on ethnic stereotypes that only an insider can afford. As in a true folk story, Schlomo, the village fool, is the one speaking the deepest truth and coming with the best ideas. As in life, the power corrupts, and the way to speak influences the way we think/live ( a great performance had Rufus in the role of Mordechai//the train's German commander). A most memorable scene is the competition between the Gypsy and Jewish musicants and dancers, followed closely the surprise ending. Most recommended.