Elijah Wood is set to star in this Liev Schrieber directed/written story about a young Jewish American who sets out on a search for the woman who saved his grandfather during WWII from a village that the Nazis razed.
Based on a novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, the protagonist is, in fact, a gentleman named Jonathan Safran Foer. As he journeys on his quest, he is aided by a man named Alex Perchov, who assists the Jonathan by translating the Ukrainian language for him. Also along for the ride are Alex's grandfather, Alex, and a flatulent mutt named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. The group uncovers unsettling facts about Nazi atrocities and the extent of Ukrainian complicity in the horrors that has implications for all of the wanderers.
Believe it or not, the story is actually a comedy, though it also has plenty of dramatic/tragic elements. And since the tale largely focuses on a group of wanderers, hobbit extraordinaire Wood is already naturally suited for the role. With his wide-eyed naïveté, he should be able to portray a man in unfamiliar surroundings with ease. Schrieber's debut looks to be a film that captures some positive attention upon its release from Warner Independent Pictures. (Kim Hollis/BOP)