Desperate to erase his origins after completing his mandatory service in the Israeli Defence Forces, twentysomething Yoav sees becoming French as his only hope for salvation. He moves to Paris where he entices both halves of a young French couple and reluctantly works at the Israeli embassy while studying for his naturalization test— all the while refusing to utter a single word of Hebrew. But his attempt to reinvent himself only stirs up past demons and ignites a new kind of internal crisis. Based on writer-director Nadav Lapid’s own experiences, Synonyms is an intensely kinetic tragicomic puzzle that explores the ways in which language and identity—both national and existential—are inextricably linked… or aren’t. 

In Hebrew and French with English subtitles.

Official Selection: Berlin International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival

Winner: Golden Bear, Berlin International Film Festival

A Kino Lorber release.