A Nice Jewish Boy
Synopsis
In a small, working-class Parisian suburb, a naïfish, curly-haired young man named Bellisha lives with his anxious, mildly agoraphobic mother, Giselle. A nice Jewish boy at heart, the 27-year-old is most comfortable shirking the hallmarks of adulthood. His days are instead spent tending to his mother's needs and keeping her spirits high. The once vibrant Jewish community that surrounded them is rapidly fading, leaving Giselle feeling isolated and wanting to flee. Preferring to stay where they are, Bellisha keeps a positive attitude even if that means lying to her about the anti-Semitic graffiti showing up in their building or the electrician who refused to enter their apartment after spotting the mezzuzah on their doorframe. As Giselle’s health begins to decline and tensions rise in their community, Bellisha’s boyish insouciance will be tested.
Featuring a Chaplinesque turn from newcomer Michael Zindel as Bellisha, A NICE JEWISH BOY is a light-hearted tale about entering adulthood and all the responsibilities that come with it. “Hilarious and heartbreaking” (Le Parisien), screenwriter Noé Debré’s (DHEEPAN and STILLWATER) feature directorial debut delights with his bittersweet, irreverent touch.
