Synonyms

Synonyms

Winner of the Golden Bear at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, Synonyms is a bold, provocative exploration of identity, alienation, and the struggle for self-definition in a globalized world. The film follows Yoav, a young Israeli man who arrives in Paris determined to erase his past and reinvent himself as entirely French. Armed with a dictionary and an almost desperate sense of purpose, he immerses himself in language, culture, and performance—seeking transformation through words while losing his grip on belonging.

Written and directed by Nadav Lapid, Synonyms blurs the boundary between autobiography and allegory, confronting the instability of national identity with wit and unease. Shot with restless, kinetic energy, the film reflects the volatility of its protagonist’s inner life and the absurdities of assimilation.

Through its biting humor, emotional rawness, and philosophical depth, Synonyms becomes a study of dislocation and the longing to start anew. It’s a film about language as both liberation and imprisonment—a complex, fiercely intelligent portrait of a man who must lose himself to discover who he truly is.

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My Tagalong

Student Shorts Showcase

A story about two Gemini brothers’ journey on the earth. The Older brother wants to enjoy the trip himself, but his younger brother always follows him and makes a lot of trouble.

6 mins 40s
Canada, 2020
Dir. Jerry Wang
Language: English

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