Left Luggage (1998)

36% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(1,112 ratings)

Actor Jeroen Krabbe made his directorial debut with this Dutch-Belgian-U.S. drama examining anti-Semitic attitudes in 1972 Antwerp. Free-spirited 20-year-old student Chaja (Laura Fraser) has a long-haired revolutionary lover and sometimes visits her parents (Maximilian Schell, Marianne Sagebrecht),… More Actor Jeroen Krabbe made his directorial debut with this Dutch-Belgian-U.S. drama examining anti-Semitic attitudes in 1972 Antwerp. Free-spirited 20-year-old student Chaja (Laura Fraser) has a long-haired revolutionary lover and sometimes visits her parents (Maximilian Schell, Marianne Sagebrecht), both concentration camp survivors. Evading eviction from her apartment, Chaja finds work as a nanny with the Kalmans, an Orthodox Hassidic family. Initially rebelling against the rigid traditions, she eventually comes to terms with their way of life as she teaches their four-year-old to follow his father's doctrines. Adapted from Carl Friedman's novel The Shovel and the Loom, this film was shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Jeroen Krabbé
Written By: Edwin de Vries
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 6, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Jul 10, 2001
Studio: Castle Hill Productions

Critic Reviews

Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
While it would be too much to ask for a movie about Holocaust survivors to actually be happy, Krabbé is way too heavyhanded in trying for a tragic atmosphere
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A film that means well, but is too pushy in promoting its belabored point and too sentimental to be compelling as a drama.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
A small gem of a Holocaust tale that will have limited appeal.