Julia Wagner

Julia Wagner, a film scholar and critic based in London, discusses her new book on Joan Micklin Silver's iconic film, Hester Street. She explores the film's portrayal of the immigrant experience and its surprising critical and commercial success despite being labeled a 'Jewish film.' Wagner examines the unique challenges Silver faced, from financing to production constraints, and how these shaped the film's intimate style. She also highlights underexplored themes, including feminism and cultural identity, positioning Hester Street as a milestone in American cinema.