THE SOUNDMAN
Dir: Frank Van Passel
What’s the story? Brussels, May 1940. As German forces mass on the border, Viennese Jewish refugee Elza Friedmann (Femke Vanhove) finds work voicing radio plays at the National Radio Institute. There, she meets the gifted sound engineer Berre (Jef Hellemans). The pair fall in love, but when Elza is exposed by a fellow actor, one last broadcast becomes their only way of reaching each other.
Why should I see it? This quietly devastating film celebrates the power of sound and the human voice.
By Rebecca Taylor
UK Jewish Film Festival runs until Sunday 15 November in London, then tours UK-wide (15 Nov-3 Dec) and screens online (18-30 Nov). Times, prices and venues vary. ukjewishfilm.org
This article appears in the Autumn 2026 issue of JR.
