Solomon & Gaenor facts for kids

Solomon & Gaenor
Directed by	Paul Morrison
Produced by	Sheryl Crown
Written by	Paul Morrison
Starring	Ioan Gruffudd Nia Roberts Sue Jones-Davies William Thomas Mark Lewis Jones Maureen Lipman David Horovitch
Music by	Ilona Sekacz
Cinematography	Nina Kellgren
Editing by	Kant Pan
Distributed by	FilmFour Distributors
Release date(s)	30 April 1999 (1999-04-30)
Running time	105 min.
Country	United Kingdom
Language	Welsh English Yiddish
Money made	$165,485

Solomon & Gaenor (Welsh: Solomon a Gaenor) is a Welsh movie from 1999. It was written and directed by Paul Morrison. The film tells the story of Solomon Levinsky, played by Ioan Gruffudd. He is a young Jewish man. He falls in love with Gaenor Rees, played by Nia Roberts, who is not Jewish.

Their love story is difficult because their families have different beliefs. The movie was filmed in two versions. One version has mostly English dialogue, and the other has mostly Welsh. Both versions include some scenes in Yiddish. The Welsh version was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This is a big award for movies not made in English.

The Story of Solomon & Gaenor

A Secret Love in 1911 Wales

The story begins in 1911 in the South Wales Valleys. Solomon Levinsky is a young Jewish man. He lives with his family, who speak Yiddish. Solomon sells fabrics door-to-door to earn money. He often hides his Jewish background because some people in the area are not kind to Jewish people.

One day, Solomon meets Gaenor Rees. She is a young woman who is not Jewish. Solomon quickly falls in love with her. He tells Gaenor his name is Sam Livingstone. He also says his family is English. Solomon makes a beautiful red dress for Gaenor. When she tries it on, they share their first kiss.

Keeping Secrets from Family

Gaenor's father, Idris, finds the red dress. He wants to know who gave it to her. Gaenor introduces Solomon to her family. They are polite but unsure about his true intentions. Solomon knows his own family would never accept him being with a non-Jewish woman. So, he keeps his relationship with Gaenor a secret.

Keeping this secret makes Solomon feel sad and distant from his family. He also starts to question his religious faith. Gaenor wants to meet Solomon's family. But he makes excuses, saying his mother is sick or his father is away.

Growing Problems and Difficult Choices

Gaenor's brother, Crad, is not very friendly. He invites Solomon for a drink with his friends. Crad makes fun of Solomon's job. Before seeing Gaenor, Solomon usually hides his tzitzit. These are special fringes worn by Jewish men. One time, he cannot find them.

Gaenor becomes upset because Solomon will not introduce her to his family. She feels like she is not important to him. Later, in church, someone named Noah Jones says Gaenor is going to have a baby. The Minister asks Gaenor if it is true. She has to admit in front of everyone that she is pregnant. Because of this, Gaenor's family is asked to leave the church. Her father, Idris, tells her she must get married or she cannot keep the baby.

Truths Revealed and Hard Decisions

Solomon goes to see Gaenor. But her sister, Bronwen, tells him Gaenor does not want to see him. Solomon waits near Gaenor's home to talk to her. Crad and his friends find him and beat him up. They tell him to stay away. Solomon finally talks to Gaenor. He is shocked to learn she is pregnant. But Gaenor says it is not his concern.

Solomon finds out his brother, Benjamin, took his tzitzit. Benjamin asks Solomon if he no longer wants to be Jewish. Solomon explains that prayers seem too simple when life is so complicated. Gaenor finds Solomon and confronts him about lying about his identity. Solomon explains that his family would not accept her. He would be cast out if he stayed with her. He also admits that even he has struggled to accept her.

Gaenor tells him her family has arranged for her to stay with relatives far away. The baby will be taken from her. Gaenor and Solomon start seeing each other again in secret. They plan to run away together.

Rising Tensions and a Painful Choice

People in the valley are struggling financially. This causes more anti-Jewish feelings. Crad and his friends plan to attack the shop owned by Solomon's family. The Levinsky family hears about the plan and hides. That same night, Solomon and Gaenor plan to run away.

Solomon sneaks out and sees his family's business being destroyed. His father, Isaac, finds him. He tells Solomon that if he leaves with Gaenor, he will no longer be part of the family. Solomon sadly returns to his family. They have lost everything after the attack.

A Desperate Search and Tragic End

Solomon goes to Cardiff to work for his uncle. He wants to help his family get back on their feet. He writes letters to Gaenor, but Crad throws them away. Gaenor asks Solomon's parents, Isaac and Rezl, where Solomon is. They refuse to tell her. She reminds them she is carrying their grandchild. But they reject the child. Gaenor is sent away to have the baby.

Solomon learns from his mother that Gaenor has left. He returns to the valley. He finds Crad, who beats him badly. Crad refuses to tell him where Gaenor is. Solomon then fights Crad fiercely, demanding to know Gaenor's location. Crad finally tells him where she is. Solomon sets off to find her.

Solomon travels through a harsh winter to reach Gaenor. She is staying with her aunt. When Solomon finally arrives, he is very sick. Gaenor takes care of him, but it is clear he will not survive. As Solomon is dying, he and Gaenor tell each other they are in love. Gaenor gets into bed with him. She wakes up the next morning to find Solomon has died. She cries out in sadness.

Soon after, Gaenor gives birth to their baby. Gaenor and her father take Solomon's coffin to be buried. They pass Crad, who climbs onto the cart carrying the coffin.

Meet the Cast

• Ioan Gruffudd as Solomon Levinsky
• Nia Roberts as Gaenor Rees
• Sue Jones-Davies as Gwen Rees
• William Thomas as Idris Rees
• Mark Lewis Jones as Crad Rees
• Maureen Lipman as Rezl Levinsky
• David Horovitch as Isaac Levinsky
• Daniel Kaye as Philip Levinsky
• Bethan Ellis Owen as Bronwen Rees
• Elliott Cantor as Benjamin Levinsky
• Steffan Rhodri as Noah Jones
• Aled Phillips as Beautiful Boy in Church

Awards and Recognition

• Academy Awards 2000
  • Best Foreign Language Film - Nominated (This means it was considered for the award but did not win)
• Cherbourg-Octeville Festival of Irish & British Film
  • Best Film (Paul Morrison) - Nominated
• Emden International Film Festival
  • Emden Film Award (Paul Morrison) - 2nd Place
• Festróia - Tróia International Film Festival
  • Golden Dolphin (Paul Morrison) - WON (This means it won the top prize!)
• Verona Love Screens Film Festival
  • Best Film (Paul Morrison) - WON

See also

• Cinema of Wales
• List of Welsh films