Other Titles • Left Luggage • 2 koffers vol (1998)
Synopses for Left Luggage (1998)
1.
Dutch actor Jeroen Krabbe's (IMMORTAL BELOVED) first feature film is a touching look at the connected lives of two Jewish families in early 1970s Belgium. Laura Fraser stars as Chaja, the 20 year-old daughter of two Holocaust survivors who eschews her faith and goes to Antwerp to study philosophy and live a bohemian life. However, when she takes a job as a nanny for the Kalmans, a Hasidic family, she begins a friendship with the devout Mrs. Kalman (Rossellini) and her four year-old son, Simcha that forces her to reevaluate the Jewish faith. An affecting and clear eyed look at Hasidic faith, which is so often glossed over and generalized in movies, LEFT LUGGAGE is a moving film, aided immeasurably by Ms. Rossellini's and Ms. Fraser's standout performances.
2.
"Genuinly touching… strong performances." -Stephen Holden, The New York Times
Set in Antwerp, Belgium in the early '70s, Left Luggage is the touching and emotional story of Chaja (Laura Fraser), a rebellious philosophy student struggling to come of age. Her relationship with her parents, both concentration camp survivors, is strained and she finds herself unable to accept her Jewish identity. A family friend (Chaim Topol) finds her a job as a nanny for the Kalmans, a Hassidic family with five children. She has little knowledge and sympathy for their many strict rules and immediately clashes with Mr. Kalman (Jeroen Krabbe). She finds herself drawn to Simcha, their youngest son who doesn't speak. Joining forces with Mrs. Kalman (Isabella Rossellini) and through her love for Simcha, Chaja learns to accept and respect a culture steeped in traditions, and finds the true values of life.
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