Simon Konianski

Simon Konianski really stands out because it’s different. Simon’s a Jewish guy who somehow always manages to annoy his family with his anti-Semitic jokes and his "Baghdad" hoodie that he wears throughout the whole movie. His dull life takes a turn when his father dies, and Simon has to embark on a long journey to Ukraine to fulfill his father’s final wish. From that point on, the film turns into a fantastic comedy full of sharp humor that touches on all kinds of global issues surrounding Jewish identity, and it just works. What I loved most was how the film travels through different countries, offering fresh scenery and lots to laugh at. When they finally get to Ukraine, that’s when the movie really hits its peak—interesting landscapes, quirky characters, and the typical Ukrainian folk music in the background. I genuinely enjoyed Simon Konianski. It’s well-paced, tells the story of a hilariously sharp Jewish family, and shows just how complicated life can be when you’ve got strong opinions that don’t make things any easier for those around you. (2012.03.12)