Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema

In their season four debut, Harry and Daniel welcome musician extraordinaire Yoshie Fruchter to discuss "This is Spinal Tap,” the 1984 directorial debut from Rob Reiner. They debate the introspective Jewishness of the mockumentary format, compare the travails of the band to those of the Jews lost in the desert, and crank things up to 11 as they celebrate they tow the line between stupid and clever!As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.Spinal Tap on imdbThis is Spinal Tap TrailerCheck out the new Sandcatchers album, The LinesYoshie Fruchter on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry are joined by Pamela Lavitt, Director of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival.Pamela shares her insights on what makes a film Jewish, reveals the latest trends in Jewish movies, covers a few notable films playing this year, and makes a surprising pitch for a Jewish read of "Barbie" and “The Matrix.”Check out the full festival schedule (March 2-17) and buy tickets here: https://seattlejff.org/Connect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

This week, Daniel and Harry are joined by Temim Fruchter, author of "City of Laughter" out now! They discuss the classic 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..." starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan directed by Rob Reiner.First, they touch on why the film has sustained as one of the best Rom-Coms, pointing to the improvisation and natural conversations that drive the film's narrative. Then they discuss coincidence and synchronicity related to Harry and Sally's run ins throughout the film.They also answer one of the most controversial questions in food lore: What is your bagel order?As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.When Harry Met Sally TrailerWhen Harry Met Sally on IMdBTemim's LinksCity of Laughter on Bookshop.orgTemim Fruchter on TwitterTemim Fruchter on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry are joined by Adam Mansbach, author of Golem of Brooklyn, to talk about the 1991 Bruce Willis film, Hudson Hawk.They explore themes of moral relativism, as it relates to sin and crime in the film, argue for Hawk’s role as a Jewish stand-in left behind by an ever changing world, and make the case for the film’s irreverent tone, arguing its intention and merit (and possible Jewishness) against the outsized criticism it has received.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.Hudson Hawk on IMdBHudson Hawk TrailerAdam Mansbach LinksAdam's Book The Golem of Brooklyn Adam Mansbach on TwitterAdam Mansbach on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome writer, comedian, and performer Gil Ozeri to discuss "Defending You Life" written and directed by Albert Brooks.First, they discuss Albert Brooks and his groundbreaking work as a comedian and film maker leading up to this stage in his career.Then they dive into the film and discuss what the Jewish perspective on heaven and hell, biblical references in the bottomless sushi, how intellectual improvement is depicted in the film, and finally they each consider what the afterlife may look like.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.IMDb Page"Defending Your Life" TrailerFollow Gil Ozeri on TwitterFollow Gil Ozeri on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome journalist, film critic, and author Noah Gittell to discuss the 2000 film "Meet The Parents" directed by Jay Roach.Before discussing the film, Noah talks about his personal connections to the film's themes and filming locations.Then they touch on the importance of and emphasis on honesty in the film, what happens when Jewish and WASP cultures collide with one another over dinner and how that provides an apt frame for the Jewish American experience.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.Meet The Parents TrailerMeet The Parents on IMDbFollow Noah Gittell on InstagramFollow Noah Gittell on TwitterPre-Order Baseball: The MovieConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome stand up and comic book creator Daniel Lobell to discuss the 2011 film "The Rabbi's Cat," directed by Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux.Before diving into the film, they share some thoughts on how they are processing the news out of Israel and Gaza as well the rise of antisemitism in the US.Then they talk about the film’s visual and narrative approach to adapting the graphic novels, explore the way Judaism relies on language and communication to resolve its conflicts, and observe the way the film draws connections across social boundaries that are closer than the ones within.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.The Rabbi's Cat on IMDbThe Rabbi's Cat trailerFair Enough ComicsDaniel Lobell on TwitterDaniel Lobell on InstagramReconquistador FilmConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome filmmaker Nira Burstein to discuss "The Pawnbroker," a 1964 film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Rod Steiger.They unpack the film’s exploration of collective trauma and its consequences on the individual, consider the way the movie might be received by those more and less familiar with the Holocaust, and analyze how the film’s trailblazing editing techniques heighten Sol’s internal drama and put the audience in his head.Finally, they talk to Nira about her debut documentary feature, Charm Circle, now streaming on the Criterion Channel!As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.The Pawnbroker TrailerImdb PageWatch Charm Circle on the Criterion ChannelNira Burstein on TwitterNira Burstein on instagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome producer and writer Nathan Cykiert to discuss Ari Aster's larger than life epic film, “Beau is Afraid” from 2023, starring Joaquin Phoenix.They consider the Jewishness inherent to the neuroticism and anxiety of the film’s titular Beau, as well as his relationship to his guilt-inducing mother (but don’t worry, they all love their Jewish mothers). They further unpack the Jewish connections to the use of water as a device throughout the film, and question the omnipresence and seeming control Beau’s mother Mona wields over his life.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.IMDb PageMovie TrailerNathan's LinksNathan Cykiert on TwitterNathan Cykiert on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

For their 50ish Episode Spectacular, Daniel and Harry are joined by Leah Gottfried, creator of the acclaimed comedic web series “Soon by You,” to (finally) discuss the much requested “Fiddler on The Roof.” The film came out in 1971, was directed by Norman Jewish and stars Topol and Norma Crane.They explore the legacy of the film and how it has inspired the way the world at large thinks of Jews for over 50 years. They consider how the film’s themes of the tension between tradition and progress are as relevant as ever. And of course, they take the time to shout out some of their favorite songs from the beloved musical.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in term of its cast & crew, content, and themes.Fiddler on The Roof on IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067093/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkTrailer - https://youtu.be/gsDP-90j9x8?si=aKploYuwxI10ZGgHLeah's LinksDignity EntertainmentLeah Gottfried on InstagramWe Don't Talk About Haman music videoConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod