Jew-Boy Levi

German writer-director Didi Danquart makes an impressive first feature bow with this title-challenged pre-WWII Germany set drama about how the peace and tranquility of a quaint Black Forest village is shattered when an encamped Nazi engineer and his tunnel repair squad inflame the nationalistic fervor and bigotries that lie hidden beneath the town's quiet surface. Jewish cattle dealer Benjamin Levi (Bruno Cathomas), a local fave before the engineer's arrival, ends up bearing the brunt of this enmity, with expected tragic results. Uniformly strong performances mark this taut little drama, particularly from Caroline Ebner, as a farmer's daughter who tries to shield Levi; Martina Gedicki, as the engineer's flirtatious goy-toy; and Cathomas as Levi, whose wisely restrained lead turn keeps the story from becoming maudlin. A powerful film that will haunt you long after the credits have rolled. Strongly recommended. (S. C. Sickles)