Train of Life (1999)

Mihaileanu's comic fable tells the tale of a Jewish village that combats the oppressive forces of fascism with humor -- making a cunning flight for freedom with unconventional aplomb. As Nazi troops descend upon his humble shtetl, Schlomo the Dreamer (Abelanski) -- the village idiot -- comes up with a wild escape plan: the village must fake their own deportation. Seeing little hope elsewhere, the entire shtetl participates in the massive charade, disguising half the residents as Nazi soldiers and the other half as Jewish prisoners, and embarking on a wild train ride towards the Russian border and the promise of freedom. Winner of twelve International Film Festival awards, including the Audience Award at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.