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The role of Leon Geller was Mark's first actual film role, after his appearances in two television movies
A Season of Giants and
Young Catherine. He was proud of the role, stating, "It's an all-out comedy
about a boy who's the product of artificial insemination. He goes in search of his
real father who turns out to be a pig farmer in Yorkshire. As a film, it's very much of a loose cannon, which
is why it appeals to me!
"I first read [the script] just as a comedy," he said. "It really takes a lot for me to laugh. I go to movies, and I think
they’re funny, but I don’t actually, vocally, laugh. Leon made me laugh out loud off the page. That was very exciting. It’s
definitely the first Jewish comedy in England -- and that definitely makes it quite unique."
When asked if he knew of any Jewish groups that were upset with the film. Mark responded, "I
personally have not met anyone who’s been upset by it, but I know that there are some people who
apparently have been in England. A very few, but to me, the one thing that Jews have always been able
to do is to laugh at themselves, and if we can’t crack a joke. . .I don’t think Gary and Michael wrote the script
with any intention apart from making a very funny film. Even the scene on the cross, it was so mild. Anyone
who takes that personally, Orthodox or Hasidic Jews, or whatever, I think that’s kind of ridiculous."
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