Jewish Films and Festivals

Yesterday in class, we watched two Jewish Films, "The Unchosen Ones" and "The Tribe". Both were done in very different ways and both entertaining. While "The Unchosen Ones" depicted the various stereotypes of people in or visiting Israel, and had a comedic undertone. The second film was more about Jewish history and the current state of Jews and Jewish culture in America. What i found most interesting about "The Tribe" is that at almost no point were there any live actors or actual people on film. About 90% of the film entails a narrator talking while images, computer generated graphics, animations, and clips from other films are on screen. At the very end, we finally see people on screen, in the format of the Brady Bunch and one person in each of 9 squares on the screen. Each person is Jewish and standing in front of a white background wearing only black. I believe the overall film's objective is to portray the Jewish identity as many different things. Also, while it discusses the diaspora and assimilation of Jews in America, it seems as if the creators want to viewer(if Jewish) to not forget their heritage and continue on as a proud Jew. At one point, the films talks about all the different types of Jews one can be associated as, whether it be Orthodox, Conservative, Modern Orthodox, Ultra Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, Cultural Jew, Atheist Jew, Culinary Jew, etc... Again, I interpret this to mean that there is no particular type of "right" way to be Jewish, but we must continue our ways to keep our people(The Jews) going.

On a different note, when I googled Jewish Film festivals, an assortment of festivals came up from many, many cities across the country. As Jews, we don't really reflect on our identity or heritage on a daily, or weekly basis. These films we watched in class are the types of films at these festivals, and I believe the festivals are so popular because it makes us reflect on our Judaism and Jewish identity.