Studio:
Tristar.
Production Company:
Unknown.
Project Phase: In the Can.
Who's In It:
Robin Williams (Jakob Heym); Armin Mueller-Stahl
(Dr. Kirschbaum); Greg Bello (Blumenthal); Alan Arkin; Bob
Balaban; Mathieu Kassovitz; Liev Schreiber; Nina Siemaszko; Hannah Taylor-Gordon; Scott Wilson.
Who's Making It:
Peter Kassovitz (Director, Screenwriter); Zbigniew Preisner (Musical Score);
based on the novel by Jurek Becker, which is (at present) out of print.
Premise: Made into a film in Germany in 1974, which was subsequently nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. It concerns Jakob, a resident of a Jewish ghetto in Poland during World War II. Jakob overhears an update about the front and, in order to give his story credibility, tells his neighbors the news, but also that he got it from a hidden radio receiver he possesses. He gives ongoing fictitious updates about the approaching Soviet Army in order to give hope to the people around him, who ultimately cannot be saved.
Release Date: 1999.
Comments: Becker spent the first part of his life both in the ghetto and a concentration camp. He passed away this year. If this film gives Robin half the acting opportunity I think it does, I smell his fourth Oscar nomination.
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
[Page draft submitted by 'Widgett']
October 22, 1997... Principal photography has reportedly begun in Piotrkow, Poland. [Scoop sent by 'Widgett.'] November 11, 1997... For those of you out hunting for old copies of the book, maybe you should check the new releases bookstore. This scooper found a copy at Barnes & Noble, so either they're gearing up for the film or it was never out of print to begin with. Huh. [Librarian services provided by 'Widgett'.]
September 1, 1998... Zbigniew Preisner is this film's composer. ['C' delivers the notes.]