Synonyms (2019)

In the riveting narrative of Synonyms (2019), we follow the journey of Yoav, a spirited Israeli youth, who stubbornly clings to the belief that Paris, France is his escape from the chaos he perceives in his homeland. His arrival in the City of Lights is far from ideal, as he confronts living conditions that are barely habitable. Yet, his lofty dreams and unyielding resolve prevent him from succumbing to despair. Yoav is unwavering in his quest to obliterate every trace of his Jewish-Israeli identity. He abandons his native language, Hebrew, and immerses himself in the intricate symphony of French vocabulary, his ever-present French dictionary becoming an extension of himself. In his affluent neighbor, Yoav finds an embodiment of the quintessential French ideal of fraternity, further fueling his aspiration to become a quintessential Frenchman. Synonyms, a cinematic wonder inspired by the personal experiences of writer-director Nadav Lapid, delves deep into the turbulent waters of intense nationalism and the trials one faces when striving to establish roots in an alien land. Yet, through it all, Yoav's fiery resolve to become wholly French remains unquenchable. This film is a testament to the human spirit and the lengths it will go to find a place to call home.

Synonyms is a comedy movie featuring Tom Mercier and directed by Nadav Lapid.

Synonyms is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Synonyms on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now, Vudu and YouTube.