Fantastisch

Israeli filmmaker Ofra Sarel-Koren's documentary centers on Shmulik Lesched, a one-time plumber in Haifa who, at the age of 55, decided to become a street performer. Now 100, Lesched--dressed in a clown outfit—plays his bulky accordion for coins and the gratitude of pedestrians. While Lesched makes the street crowd happy with his antics, his behavior is anything but amusing to his caregiver Mira, a Russian immigrant who has spent the past 15 years trying to get him to take his medications and follow some measure of careful living. Fantastisch is not an easy film to watch--the zany persona that Lesched turns on for the delight of his audiences is worlds removed from his indifferent and often exasperating real-life personality. As for Mira, her nagging of Lesched inevitably makes her tiresome, even though she has his best interests in mind. An oddball portrait of a strange pair dealing with aging issues, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)