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Young British writer/director, The 29-year-old Ben Hopkins brings us his feature film debut in this dark, mystical, fairytale of love, devil worshipping and rivalry.
Set in Poland in the late 19th Century, "Shine" actor Noah Taylor plays Simon Magus, a possessed, scarecrow-like outcast, whom most of the locals scorn and treat as the village idiot. The village is a mixed community of Jewish and Gentile folk trying to overcome the desperate state that the village now suffers due to a railway track passing through their town, destroying their stock and livelihood.
Stuart Townsend (famous for his chilling performance in "Resurrection Man" and "Shooting Fish") plays Dovid, a poor Jewish boy who is in love with the local widow, Leah (Embeth Davidtz). After countless rejections from Leah, Dovid instigates a plan to win her over by propositioning 'Squire' the landowner (Rutger Hauer) in a bid to prove that he can restore to the village what has been lost. Meanwhile, Hase (Sean McGinley), a wealthy and scheming gentile, has his own plans for the railway land and will do anything to stop his competitor.
Full of magic and fantasy with an interesting mix of eccentric and complex characters, this film makes pleasant and entertaining viewing. With a well-chosen cast the actors do well to make their individual performances believable, particularly Taylor's efforts as the crazed and freak-like Magus, but the story itself lacks momentum and intrigue, instead, satisfying the viewer with realism and time-aged authenticity. However, its simplicity and non-brashness makes a rare and refreshing treat.
