Simon Magus - 1999 - 7/10

More and more families depart the shtetl.
To reverse the exodus, Dovid has a plan: build a station for the approaching railway line.
Squire Albrecht agrees to sell him the land – if – Dovid will read his poetry.
(The squire lacks intelligent neighbors to discuss culture.)
Meanwhile, a mendacious businessman wants the land at any price.
Then there is Simon, the village simpleton.
Some view him sympathetically, others view him as crop blight.

Simon frequently meets the Devil, who gives him advice, or treacherous instructions.
Not horror, not folk-horror, this runs closer to fable.
For Rutger Hauer fans, this would make a nice double bill with The Mill And The Cross.