Animated feature, based on Michel Kichka’s autobiographical graphic novel, explores the legacy of genocide from a sideways angle
Adapted from Second Generation, an autobiographical graphic novel (perhaps the genre should be termed “autobiographic novel”?) by Michel Kichka, this animated feature explores the legacy of the Holocaust from a somewhat sideways angle. Kichka’s father Henri was a survivor of Auschwitz, but when the story starts in the late 1950s-early 1960s, Henri is a tamped-down, closed-off character who keeps the office, like his memories, locked up and unshared with his five children. In a pastel-coloured Belgian town, Michel is first met as an adolescent, voiced by Ilan Galkoff although narration by the older Michel (David Baddiel) comments on the action throughout. Barely aware of what happened during the war except that it was something bad dad doesn’t talk about, Michel and younger brother Charley (Skye Bennett) go to synagogue...
Adapted from Second Generation, an autobiographical graphic novel (perhaps the genre should be termed “autobiographic novel”?) by Michel Kichka, this animated feature explores the legacy of the Holocaust from a somewhat sideways angle. Kichka’s father Henri was a survivor of Auschwitz, but when the story starts in the late 1950s-early 1960s, Henri is a tamped-down, closed-off character who keeps the office, like his memories, locked up and unshared with his five children. In a pastel-coloured Belgian town, Michel is first met as an adolescent, voiced by Ilan Galkoff although narration by the older Michel (David Baddiel) comments on the action throughout. Barely aware of what happened during the war except that it was something bad dad doesn’t talk about, Michel and younger brother Charley (Skye Bennett) go to synagogue...
- 11/22/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
The Holocaust, ripping appart the fabric of Western society as it did, has naturally been a subject for cinema decade after decade, analysed and lamented in multitudinous ways. A lot less attention has been paid to the first generation that grew up in its shadow. Véra Belmont’s animated adaptation of author Michel Kichka’s memoirs explores the life of one such family in a small Belgian town – a family in which a pair of growing boys become ever more curious about their father’s strange behaviour and the subjects of which he will not speak.
“We think they’re telephone numbers,” says young Michel (Esteban Oertil) when explaining to the local sweet shop owner why he and his younger brother Charley (Gabin Geunoun) are curious about the tattoos which she and their father have on their arms. Establishing that their father has told them nothing, she is deeply uncomfortable,...
“We think they’re telephone numbers,” says young Michel (Esteban Oertil) when explaining to the local sweet shop owner why he and his younger brother Charley (Gabin Geunoun) are curious about the tattoos which she and their father have on their arms. Establishing that their father has told them nothing, she is deeply uncomfortable,...
- 11/18/2023
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Exclusive: The UK Jewish Film Festival (November 9 – 22) has revealed its lineup of 2023 gala screenings and premieres, including special presentations of the Anthony Hopkins pic One Life and Mario Bellochi’s Cannes competition title Kidnapped.
One Life, directed by James Hawes, will open the festival. The pic tells the true-life story of Nicholas Winton, a British stockbroker and son of German-Jewish parents, who, after being horrified by tales of refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Sudetenland, sets off for Prague and begins to find ways to bring out as many refugee children as possible. Aided by his formidable mother, Barbara (Helena Bonham Carter), and a coterie of dedicated activists, their seemingly impossible mission faces daunting obstacles in this inspiring true story of hope and determination. James Hawes will be present on the night to introduce his film.
Mario Bellochi’s Kidnapped will screen at the festival’s centerpiece gala. The film tells the true...
One Life, directed by James Hawes, will open the festival. The pic tells the true-life story of Nicholas Winton, a British stockbroker and son of German-Jewish parents, who, after being horrified by tales of refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Sudetenland, sets off for Prague and begins to find ways to bring out as many refugee children as possible. Aided by his formidable mother, Barbara (Helena Bonham Carter), and a coterie of dedicated activists, their seemingly impossible mission faces daunting obstacles in this inspiring true story of hope and determination. James Hawes will be present on the night to introduce his film.
Mario Bellochi’s Kidnapped will screen at the festival’s centerpiece gala. The film tells the true...
- 9/22/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Encapsulating humanity’s weighty history and paths toward healing, director Véra Belmont (“Red Kiss”) takes a leap from live-action cinema to animated feature with her latest project, “My Father’s Secrets,” a Holocaust story that tackles generational familial trauma and redemption.
Based on the graphic novel “Second Generation” by Israeli illustrator Michel Kichka, the film is set for its market premiere at the Cannes Marché du Film, with the incentive for international markets of Elliott Gould leading the English voice cast.
“My Father’s Secrets,” set in Belgium, introduces two young brothers, Michel and Charly, who struggle with their father Henri’s reclusive nature surrounding his time at Auschwitz.
Their imaginations get the better of them as their father retreats inward on a personal journey to recoup his life after surviving the tragedies of internment. They hypothesize, snoop and act out in response, causing familial friction.
Sold by Simon Crowe...
Based on the graphic novel “Second Generation” by Israeli illustrator Michel Kichka, the film is set for its market premiere at the Cannes Marché du Film, with the incentive for international markets of Elliott Gould leading the English voice cast.
“My Father’s Secrets,” set in Belgium, introduces two young brothers, Michel and Charly, who struggle with their father Henri’s reclusive nature surrounding his time at Auschwitz.
Their imaginations get the better of them as their father retreats inward on a personal journey to recoup his life after surviving the tragedies of internment. They hypothesize, snoop and act out in response, causing familial friction.
Sold by Simon Crowe...
- 5/18/2022
- by Holly Jones
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: UK outfit Sc Films has boarded international sales rights to animation My Father’s Secrets, which is being produced by the art director of Oscar-nominee Persepolis.
The hand-drawn animation is based on the graphic novel by Israeli author Michel Kichka and documents his father’s experience both during and after the Holocaust. It ends with father and son making a highly emotional visit to Auschwitz.
The English and French-language film, formerly known as Second Generation, is a France-Belgium-Luxembourg co-production with Je Suis Bien Content (April And The Extraordinary World), Left Field Ventures (Madame Bovery) and Bidibul (White Fang) producing. Marc Jousset of Je Suis Bien Content was artistic director on Persopolis, winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes.
Kichka is adapting his original material. Directors are Véra Belmont (Red Kiss) and Xavier Picard (Moomins On The Riviera). Delivery is expected by Q2, 2020. Le Pacte will distribute in France.
Animation specialist Sc Films,...
The hand-drawn animation is based on the graphic novel by Israeli author Michel Kichka and documents his father’s experience both during and after the Holocaust. It ends with father and son making a highly emotional visit to Auschwitz.
The English and French-language film, formerly known as Second Generation, is a France-Belgium-Luxembourg co-production with Je Suis Bien Content (April And The Extraordinary World), Left Field Ventures (Madame Bovery) and Bidibul (White Fang) producing. Marc Jousset of Je Suis Bien Content was artistic director on Persopolis, winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes.
Kichka is adapting his original material. Directors are Véra Belmont (Red Kiss) and Xavier Picard (Moomins On The Riviera). Delivery is expected by Q2, 2020. Le Pacte will distribute in France.
Animation specialist Sc Films,...
- 8/29/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
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