Shem (2006)
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins
Theatrical Release: May 26, 2006 Limited
Synopsis: Daniel, an arrogant, restless young Londoner is bored with his meaningless life. When he seeks sympathy from his old Jewish grandmother, she sends him on a mission to Europe to find the grave of her father who disappeared during the Second World War. Following his great grandfather's... Daniel, an arrogant, restless young Londoner is bored with his meaningless life. When he seeks sympathy from his old Jewish grandmother, she sends him on a mission to Europe to find the grave of her father who disappeared during the Second World War. Following his great grandfather's trail, Daniel's journey leads him to Paris, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, and Sofia, finally having to flee to Rome. As he passes from one intense experience to the next, he is caught up in the turmoil of change taking place in the former communist countries, in the process discovering his Jewish roots which had previously never mattered to him. What started as an excuse simply to travel and have fun soon becomes an obsessive quest and a journey of personal discovery. -- © HP Releasing [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Ash Newman, Geraldine de Bastion, Cyrielle Claire, Istvan Szabo, Arturo Brachetti
DVD Info
Release:
Nov 7, 2006
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0
Additional Release Material:
- Interviews: 1. Ash Newman
- 2. Caroline Roboh - Director
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Reviews
scenic and interesting in a Rough Guide to Eastern Europe sort of way
Roboh's moralistic paean to Jewish self-knowledge is so solemnly high-minded that one almost feels bad admitting that the film's only spark comes from its occasional tawdry ludicrousness.
Daniel's character transformation, however limited (he ranges from complete to partial arrogant jerk), is far more credible than any of the film's half-baked attempts at morphing into a conspiracy thriller involving his great-grandfather.
Several things are missing in Shem, most apparently a consistent tone of voice.
The result of Cave just letting it rip is a western that's a mix of Unforgiven, everything by Sam Peckinpah, Deadwood at its most profane and a rabid dog gnawing on your leg while you're running away.
Perhaps the most distinctive thing about Caroline Roboh's rambling follow-up to her 1983 debut Clementine Tango is that it features one of the least likable protagonists ever.
A pointless hodgepodge, with a finale that will leave viewers scratching their heads.
A muddle of good intentions and bad direction, this amateurish road movie follows a young Brit across Europe as he reconnects with his Jewish roots.
Shem is the flipside of the similarly juvenile My Summer of Love--condescending about sex and ostensibly reverential to faith.

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