Saturday, April 2, 6:00pm
UNC Charlotte Center City, Auditorium
Mr. Kaplan
Director Álvaro Brechner
Spain, Uruguay, Germany. 2014 / 98 min.
In Spanish with English subtitles
Introduction by Dr. Gregory Weeks, Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, UNC Charlotte. Discussion will follow screening.
Uruguay’s official selection for Best Foreign Academy Award, Mr. Kaplan follows Jacob Kaplan’s ordinary life in Uruguay. Like many of his other Jewish friends, Jacob fled Europe for South America because of World War II. But now, turning 76, he’s become rather grumpy, fed up with his community and his family’s lack of interest in their own heritage. One beach bar may, however, provide him with an unexpected opportunity to achieve greatness and recover his family’s respect in the community: its owner, a quiet, elderly German, raises Mr. Kaplan’s suspicion of being a runaway Nazi.
Reviews:
“Eminently likeable, this highly amusing crowd-pleaser represents Uruguay’s best shot ever at the Best Foreign Language Oscar.” – Leslie Felperin, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“Brechner’s film is a delightful take on our desire to feel a purpose in our lives. Although they are separated by more than 30 years in age, Kaplan and Contreras are united in their need to pursue the German to counter the impotence that was characterizing their lives before circumstances brought them together.” – George Kafka, SOUNDS AND COLOURS
“Mr. Kaplan has a some fine performances, a bone-dry take on life, a vibrant camera capturing the action from interesting angles and a stringent script, which makes the audience root for Jacob because he is such a lovable anti-hero.” – André Simonoviescz, FILM UFORIA
“The chemistry between our crime‐fighting duo is infectious, with Noguera’s deadpan gruffness meeting its match with the bumbling and brash Guzzini. But between the comedy, Brechner cleverly intertwines the serious issues that lie behind Kaplan’s intentions–heritage is unforgivably being forgotten.” – Rachel Williams, THE LONDON WORLD
Social Media Links: Mr. Kaplan on YouTube
The Spanish Film Club series was made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts & culture and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
