Solomon and Gaenor (1999)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Paul Morrison

Writer:

Paul Morrison (writer)

Release Date:

30 April 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Their tragedy was to fall in love.

Plot:

A tragic love story between a Jewish young man and a Welsh woman in the beginning of the century. The movie is mostly in English with parts in Welsh and Yiddish

Plot Keywords:

Wales | Jew | Barn | Single Mother | Premarital Sex

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 7 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Ioan Gruffudd	...	Solomon Levinsky
Nia Roberts	...	Gaenor Rees
Sue Jones-Davies	...	Gwen (as Sue Jones Davies)
William Thomas	...	Idris Rees
Mark Lewis Jones	...	Crad Rees
Maureen Lipman	...	Rezl
David Horovitch	...	Isaac
Bethan Ellis Owen	...	Bronwen
Adam Jenkins	...	Thomas
Cyril Shaps	...	Ephraim
Daniel Kaye	...	Philip
Elliot Cantor	...	Benjamin
Steffan Rhodri	...	Noah Jones
Emyr Wyn	...	Reverend Roberts
Julian Lewis Jones	...	Wyn

Also Known As:

Solomon & Gaenor (USA)
Solomon a Gaenor (UK: Welsh title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and a scene of violence.

Runtime:

Argentina:105 min | Germany:102 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Welsh | Yiddish

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:15 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Hong Kong:III | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK

Company:

APT Films

Trivia:

Rabbi Daniel Levy (who plays Rabbi Wolfe) is an Orthodox Rabbi, and at the time was the Rabbi of the Orthodox Synagogue in Cardiff.

Quotes:

Solomon Levinsky: You pray to your God. And I'll pray to mine.

Is this an English or a Welsh film???

Being Welsh, and being able to speak the language, I was particularly drawn to this film. This film is also part of the A level syllabus which is taught on Welsh courses, and even for Welsh learners. I see that many people have commented on the content of the film, and the effects of the love story in general. I would like to comment on the 'language' ethic of the film. As the film is trilingual, we notice it immediately raises a cultural conflict. However, most people have found that the film was shot in Welsh and English for the purposes of 'Welsh' audiences. I watched the Welsh version the other day, and it just doesn't make sense. To me, each culture is represented by the language that's spoken, be it Welsh, English and Yiddish. I see English as particularly symbolic as it provides a bridge between the Welsh/ Yiddish culture, which is embodied by Solomon and Gaenor. Why then, is it necessary to have a Welsh version where Solomon can coincidentally speak Welsh with a wonderful accent?? I was very confused by this. I think the English version should remain as it is, as this is the true purpose of the film- to present a story of forbidden love within the diversity of culture. English is a very important part of the film, and to record a Welsh version of it just seems pointless to the meaning of the story. I have every intention of thinking of this as a Welsh film, but that small difference has made a difference to its whole intention. Apart from this, the English version provided us with excellent acting, a wonderful score and a meaningful portrayal of love an Wales.