In Perel’s struggle for survival through treachery, he still cannot cheat himself and escape from who he really is, that is why his past hunts him in his dreams. One theory about what dreams are is that they are a reflection of a person’s true desires. In light of this, the dinner scene with his family shows his longing for the comfort and freedom he had in which he did not have to be cautious all the time. This longing is explicitly shown by his announcing to the household that he is home. And to fully realize the gravity by which he misses his home, the event that he hates yet associates most to it, the eating of the salted egg during Passover, is shown. The celebration of Passover was also symbolic in itself since Passover symbolizes the liberation of the Israelites (Perel’s identity) from the Egyptians (the Germans). It foretells Perel’s future.
The other part of his dream is the closet scene with Hitler, to whom he projects his desire to be free. If only Hitler were also a Jew, then he would not be in trouble and be miserable. If only Hitler were in the same status that he is in, or if only he were as powerful as Hitler, he would not be suffering, he would be free instead. The dream could also signify that he and Hitler are not different; they are still two human beings, foreskin or no foreskin.
Perel’s suffering is foreshadowed by the vision of Stalin and Hitler dancing, which signifies the friendship between the two at the onset of war. This is why Perel is able to receive telegrams in the communist school. The foreshadowing proceeded on to the explosion of Hitler’s statue and Stalin remaining upright behind it. This shows that the good relationship is destroyed afterwards when Hitler neglected his promise to Stalin and invaded Poland. The explosion could also signify Hitler’s eventual downfall and Russia’s success in the war.
Perel finally acquires the comfort and freedom he has long been wishing for when he is reunited with Isaac in the camp of the Jews. The tension and anxiety he was feeling in Hitler’s Academy is removed, which is signified by the act of peeing. When a person needs to pee badly, his body and mind is not at peace, he can not move freely because he might “spill”. The thought of holding it back is always on his mind similar with Perel always worrying about hiding his true identity. But once a person has released his need, he is free, happy and comfortable, which is what Perel feels in the end. He is reunited with his remaining family, Isaac, and both do not have to be in hiding anymore as what they have done during the rule of Hitler. Their peeing in an open area suggests that they are at ease with the thought that someone might see them and identify them as Jews.
On the other hand, the teen Olivier is also forced to pretend in order to survive; but the results of his actions are less sinister, in fact, they are actually beneficial to each of the family members in their own way. He is no different from Perel; he is also an opportunist. He takes advantage of the Duval’s misfortune for his benefit. He does not intend to bring them happiness for he would have gone to the Duval’s himself without the police’s help. He actually intends to find himself a home. The Duval’s just happens to be the perfect excuse and family setting for him.
Even though Olivier has striking similarities with the child Olivier, looking beyond the physical characteristics, he could have easily obtained knowledge from family members, records and letters as well as the neighbors. My suspicion of his identity varies from high to low in the development of the film. His sharing of information is not a problem because it can be easily acquired. Even the peeing song could have been gotten from somewhere or someone from the locals. One of the compelling evidences, however, is the scar on his appendicitis, which made me believe that he is really Olivier. But then when he has sex with his sister, I become suspicious again and believe that he is not Olivier because the act, for me, is a symbol of a personal confirmation that he is not Nadine’s brother. Maybe he just simulated the scar on his appendicitis. My fluctuating suspicion based on the evidences is symbolized by the ball rolling on the floor. It warns the audience that “you are about to start the ride of evidences that will play with your mind”. Sometimes the audience feels that he/she is on top of the ball, meaning he has gotten the answer, but actually he is fooled by the clown because he could be at the bottom. Fortunately, my belief is eventually affirmed when Marcel admitted that Olivier is dead. His admission must be true because any sane man would not willingly tell something like that to the police. However, despite my success in determining that the teen Olivier is not really Olivier, I was slow in picking up that Marcel is the culprit. His importance is only revealed to me when Olivier caught him abusing the boy. All along, my hunch of who the important person is was the policeman. The empty swing in the end tells the audience that the mystery of Olivier’s identity has been revealed. It is finished and Olivier’s spirit can now rest in peace for his death has been recognized and given justice.
Marcel’s guilt could be what holds him under the Duval’s employment all those years; it seems to be a way of compensation and repentance for him. Therefore, Elizabeth has trusted and treated him as part of the family all along. It would surely break her heart if she were told about what Marcel did (his hiding Olivier’s body and his contribution in Olivier’s death). She herself says that she would not be able to hold it if Olivier leaves her again. Thus, I believe that she is not informed about the child’s death and Olivier’s (teenager) true identity. This is further supported by the atmosphere when the family is in the dining room before Olivier came back. Nadine is standing far from her mother, which shows a disinterested attitude that is highly unlikely in a situation like that, given her extraordinary affection to her mom. If Elizabeth were told about Olivier’s death and, understandably, the teen Olivier’s dishonesty also, she would surely be distraught and Nadine would expectedly and automatically be by her side comforting her. On the other hand, Elizabeth’s glassy look is due to the shock about the news of Marcel’s pedophilic character for the reason that she trusts him and has never suspected him of such actions. Also, it is due to Olivier’s lengthy disappearance, which has gotten her worried since Olivier has never gone out that long, add to that is he is involved in the disturbing case of the revelation of Marcel’s secret character.
The teen Olivier came back because there is really no compelling reason to leave the Duvals. He is able to find a home and a lover in them, replacing this for the streets and trains of Paris is illogical. It is also heartless of him to leave because of the pending case against Marcel to which he is the main witness. It will also give him peace of mind by seeing to it that Marcel is punished for his deeds, considering Olivier’s disgusted reaction to the act. It is for the boy’s sake, Elizabeth’s sanity, Serge’s happiness and Nadine’s love that Olivier came back. He and the family have everything to gain and nothing to lose anyway. Along the same lines, I find Olivier more sympathetic than Perel because he thought of the good that his actions would bring not only to himself but also to others, which is unlike what Perel did.
followed by the explosion
Stalin – pres of Russia
Binigay ni Hitler kay stalin Poland, isa-isa country all over Europe conquer then Russia, Hitler ang statue, stalin ang person, common factor, Hitler like him is fear trying to be german, before dream is foreskin, after dream is meadow
Someone with a cause other than himself
It could be like saying that he would gladly be home even if the activity his family is doing is eating the salted egg. However, his family did not respond to his arrival, which may signify a distance between them. It maybe, in Perel’s point of view, that his family most probably have forgotten about him since they have been out of touch for a long and have thought him dead. Or it could be the other way around, Perel thinking his family as dead and non-existent which explains the distance between them.