New Film Features Stamp Collecting

The new film, The Reader,has two scenes in which stamps and stamp collecting are featured and which are central to the story.

Phil Kloer, movie critic for the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, summarizes the film as follows;"Set in Germany over four decades, from 1956 to 1995, The Reader follows the relationship between Hanna (Kate Winslet) and Michael, who’s played by Ralph Fiennes as an adult and German newcomer David Kross as a youth."

Early in the film, Michael, 15, contacts scarlet fever and must stay in bed several months. During that time, he works on his stamp collection. Someone who knows about stamp collecting must helped with the scenes because he's using stock book (rather than an album) and tongs. There are also a couple closeups of neatly arranged and organized stamps much like one would find in a real collector's stockbook.

Later in the film, he sells his collection in order to finance a trip with Hanna. This time the scene is in a German stamp shop. It must have been a good collection because he was was able to sell his collection for hard cash to the crusty old dealer.

Be forewarned, this film is not for everyone. There is lots of nudity and the subject matter is somewhat controversial. Nevertheless, the film has received Golden Globe nominations for best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress.

Shown above, actor David Kross as the young stamp collector with his stockbook.

To read Kloer's entire review, click here.

To visit the film's website and see a preview, click here.