Reckonings is a documentary that takes a look back at the early 1950s when German and Jewish leaders met to discuss reparations. Chances are likely that you probably do not know the story of the Jewish Claims Conference. It took until the 1950s for leaders to meet and discuss compensation for survivors. The question on many minds during the talks are how does one determine reparations for the worst mass genocide in history. How much…
"Reckonings – JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival 2023"Tag: JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival
The idea of Jews living in the Wild West is not a new thing but filmmaker Amanda Kinsey explores the history in Jews of the Wild West. Before there was Blazing Saddles with the Jewish-coded Jim the Waco Kid and before there was The Frisco Kid, there were actual Jews living in the Wild West. Or the American frontier, if you will. This is what’s so fascinating about watching this film. There’s so much history…
"Jews of the Wild West – 2022 Chicago Jewish FF"
Tango Shalom, currently playing the Jewish film festival circuit, makes some questionable choices in a film about a Chasidic Jew. I’m Orthodox and as such, I’m entering the film through that perspective. Prior to the pandemic, I would split my time between the local Modern Orthodox shul and Chabad. Even back home, I was exclusive to Chabad. With that being said, this film falls short on so many levels. Rabbi Moshe Yehuda (Jos Laniado) considers…
"Tango Shalom Falls Under Hasidsploitation"
Carl Laemmle is a very informative and fascinating documentary that profiles the pioneering founder of Universal Studios. James L. Freedman goes deep into the archives in a documentary that certainly targets both film nerds and the Jewish community. Carl Laemmle was a guy who left his hometown for a better life in America and he never forgot his roots. It didn’t matter that Germans didn’t like him in the 1930s. He saw what was happening to…
"Carl Laemmle: Universal Founder profiled"
The Last is one of those films in which the audience is going to be left with questions but mainly we’re left to ask ourselves–what would we have done? It’s a normal Rosh HaShanah afternoon for the Dorman family as everyone gathers around for the Tashlikh service. Little do they know that the normalcy they experience will soon be changing. Much of the conversation relates to special-needs teacher Josh (AJ Cedeño) and his engagement to…
"The Last: Audience Will Ask Questions"