Bye Bye Germany
Bye Bye Germany is a hard-hitting, unsentimental show set in 1964 Frankfurt. The show brings out the reality of all the Nazi-era survivors, the Jewish friends who unite to sell high-quality linens to raise some money and eventually move to America. While you might think this is your regular holocaust inspired drama, it is not.
Sam Garbarski brings this post-war history of the Jewish people who survived the nightmare of the Nazi regime. Although the show could have collided in many aspects, it is only through the cancelling that we get to witness subtle touches of comedy and drama. The performance is high in drama and provocative, and this eventually creates all the hype. The result is truly unmoving.
Bye, Bye Germany is based upon Michel Bergmann‘s debut novel, “The Traveling Salesman.” The book is based on Bergmann’s family history. The story revolves around those who stayed because of opportunism and those who moved out in the hope of starting a new life in America. What is more surprising about the drama is that it leaves us all to one question- was the holocaust this cozy?
The show is no icebreaker, nor is it anything great, but the show’s small details lead to hard-hitting realizations. The story brings some aspects of reality, which tend to be far from what history has taught us to be.
The story is taken up by David Bermann whose family had a leading linen store and now is in ruins. The journey of Bermann in the story is what adds to the dimensions.
Another dimension to the story is David being questioned by the American army investigator, Sara, played by the gorgeous Antje Traue. The conversation between the two brings back the flashback of how jokey David was while he was imprisoned in the camp and how he had more to say to Adolf Hitler, der Führer if he were his court jester.
While David reminisces the past, his co-salesman relives the traumatic memories of loss, guilt, and horror. Bye, Bye Germany is a two-way story that shows us so much and leaves us questioning. Although not a regular holocaust drama, it leaves behind a lot of questioning.
Director:
Sam Garbarski
Writers:
Michel Bergmann, Sam Garbarski
Stars:
Moritz Bleibtreu, Antje Traue, Tim Seyfi
The Jewish Cardinal
Ilan Duran Cohen directed the title of The Jewish Cardinal sound nothing more than a punchline? Well, it’s not. Rather it’s a story of a real man, Jean Marie Lustiger who is a Jewish immigrant who converts to Catholicism.
The central character, Lustiger is born in Paris and is the son of a Jewish immigrant who at the Bar Mitzvah age of 13 years, turned to Catholicism in the year 1940. Mr. Cohen wrote the screenplay along with Chantal Derudder that captivates you. The story revolves around Lustiger turning to the archbishop and then the cardinal. In 2007, he died.
The movie tells the story of Jean-Marie during the year 1979 when he becomes the archbishop of Orleans. Although the movie doesn’t seem like a biopic, it follows a standard timeframe checking off different points. The specters of Auschwitz revolve all around the movie.
The story begins with the fight between Jean Marie and his father, who does not understand his son’s faith and keeps coming back. When Jean Marie visits the camp, he is surprised to find out that he is unable to recite the prayer in Kaddish and the Jewish prayer for his mother’s death.
When a convent is established in Auschwitz, Jean-Marie faces a lot of trouble with his allies. The movie is very steady-paced and follows the constant struggle of Jean-Marie to identify himself as a Jew and Catholic. The movie keeps your interest throughout this exceptional and unique story.
Director:
Ilan Duran Cohen
Writers:
Ilan Duran Cohen, Chantal Derudder
Stars:
Laurent Lucas, Aurélien Recoing, Audrey Dana |
Make Hummus Not War
Are you a big hummus fan? Well, then this is just the series to watch. Trevor Graham rightly portrays the saying, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Let us warn you that if you’re going to watch this series, you need to have a bowl of Hummus right in front of you.
The documentary can satisfy your cravings for Hummus in no time. Hummus is one of the most popular dishes made of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Hummus’ servings are what add to the taste, bread, and just the right dash of olive oil.
The documentary Make Hummus Not War follows the journey of several makers and consumers. The documentary provides an insight into the lives of makers and clients and how the mouth-watering dish is made.
If the documentary’s motto is to be followed, it rightly points, Make Hummus Not War and talks about the existing ‘hummus war’ between different countries like Israel, Lebanon, and the Arabs of Judea and Samaria. The idea comes from the conflict between the sides claiming Hummus to be theirs and considering them to be the dish’s rightful owners.
The show is all about the praises for this dish. It leaves the differences based on the geopolitical level and brings about Hummus’s importance to be one of the best dishes on the US supermarket shelves.
Make Hummus delivers a very serious message while maintaining the light-hearted nature of the show. Graham presents everything just perfectly with the right blend of material. Terry Gilliam’s cut-out style helps Graham portray his self-love for daily life in the Middle East.
Will this document help to promote peace in the Middle East? It is still arguable. But, it will surely encourage eating Hummus in the world. If you’re looking forward to a light-hearted series, make sure that you watch Make Hummus Not War.
Old Jews Telling Jokes
Every person dies, but the jokes live on. Oh wait, did we make a mistake here? Well, what we mean is that the jokes live on, so that is what Old Jews Telling Jokes to bring to you.
The show, “Old Jews Telling Jokes,” featuring in the Jewzy TV, is one of the most adored ones. Moreover, this show very rightfully portrays the concept of a glorious tradition. The show is adapted by Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent of the same name, and it brings out the story of different people sharing their stories as jokes.
This is one of the most prominent shows that mixes characters and, in a new manner, presents the Old Jewish jokes. It can as well be said that these are the spin-offs of the new jokes. In this show, you can find jokes of every kind, some new, some old, and so much more. Most of these jokes are acts enacted by many people. The material thematically presents the aspects. The “assimilation” features new gags passed across the Roman Catholic Church. Sometimes these jokes can get offensive.
Todd Dusman is undoubtedly one of the most prominent characters to have received the loudest cheers. He brings the version of ‘Old Man River’ with his weird Yiddish accent. Leny Wolpe, on the other hand, is gentler. Marilyn Sokol is the one to portray the emotional range of a Jewish mother successfully.
Rather than the older generation, the younger generation is more spirited. The show revolves around younger characters like Audrey Lynn Weston and Bill Army. The show focuses on the fact that Jewish jokes aren’t only limited to the old mother jokes.
There are several stereotypes in the world, and shows like these only want to portray reality. Although most of these jokes may be outdated, they still work. This is the main aim of the show. Well, there’s much more to the Jewish humor.
The Hebrew Hammer
There’s something insanely silly about The Hebrew Hammer that keeps you on loop. This is the story of a man who’s had enough of being gentile. The Hebrew Hammer is Mordechai Jefferson Carver’s story, a Jewish man who has been given enough in the Credit scene. He appears as the chubby schoolboy who has been victimized. But later on, he grows to become a street-smart superhero.
The movie revives the blaxploitation of the 70s that was a part of movies in several past. However, there is a sense of novelty in the movie that revives the reality. Is it self-mockery? Is it about novelty? The novelty or rather Jewish novelty in The Hebrew Hammer lasts as long as the credit scenes. The movie opens in New York and Los Angeles.
The short-lived novelty is one of the most underwhelming aspects of the movie because it promised to offer everything. The Hebrew Hammer is Mordechai’s story who is on a mission to save Hanukkah from the artificial Santa who killed the real Santa, the tolerant father.
To kill off the opposition campaign’s diabolical plan, the Hebrew Hammer joins hands with the Kwanzaa Liberation Front. Mario Van Peebles plays the leader of the group. However, Hammer has to rise in power to fight against his guilt-tripping mother and get over the guilt-tripping experience for the Jewish Justice League. Esther, the daughter, is the love interest of glatt kosher.
The movie is great but undoubtedly certain underwhelming experiences can be huge disappointments. Mr Kesselman brings about some of the old-school jokes, and although he tries to be cool and tech-savvy, he miserably fails to do so.
Tony Cox, however, is one to steal the show. He revolts against the new racist policies of Santa and is completely foul-mouthed. The racist policies of Santa make him lose his job. The mock violence and profanity make it R-rated. However, it’s a good one-time watch.
Director:
Jonathan Kesselman
Writers:
Jonathan Kesselman
Stars:
Adam Goldberg, Andy Dick, Judy Greer
There are Jews Here
If you want a story that brings you real-life struggle and striving, There Are Jews Here is just the right choice for you. This documentary brings you the stories of struggling yet striving Jewish communities around the US.
There are Jews Here bring you the story of everyone who’s moved to the US. Laredo is off the map, and yet the story stretches between Scarsdale and Sherman Oaks. The documentary is based on the Jewish Film Festival Circuit and the four Jewish communities in a constant struggle to stay alive: Laredo, Pennsylvania, Texas, Latrobe, Butte Montana, Alabama, and Dothan. The Jewish community over here isn’t just facing common issues, but they’re facing an existential threat.
There are Jews Here cross the path of four stories that show the tenderness and struggles. The documentary shows what their interests are and what are the possibilities of their death. It brings out the story of three generations from the Balk family. Then there is the story of Udi’s wife, who, despite conversion, feels like an outsider.
Although the communities appear perfect to the Jews, there’s still a lot. The Billings congregation President in one of the meetings says, “If I were in a suburb of Philadelphia, I’d never be president of the congregation; I’d be rebelling against the President of the congregation.”
All the stories of There Are Jews Here, despite the darkness, bring hope, irrespective of how small they are. The central Balk family watches their daughter having the final bat mitzvah in the synagogue. Although the little synagogue will be gone, the memories of it will remain. Then comes the Latrobe Torah that the families rejoice around the Jersey Shore ceremony.
If you are looking for something lighthearted, then you should surely choose There Are Jews Here. Well, there’s more than what appears to the eye. Every photo, every moment is beautifully captured, and you can relate to it.
The Pickle Recipe
The Pickle Recipe is a great movie but a bit disappointing. There’s so much for genuine comedy, but there’s no scope. The main part of The Pickle Recipe, which includes the touch of ethnic farce, is missing. The Pickle Recipe’s main story revolves around a man who wants to get his hands on the secret recipe that his grandmother is dedicated to not reveal until her death.
It contains several drug references and has basic humor. The movie is 1 hour 38 minutes long, and there’s a lot involved in it. DJ Joey Miller is left in a ruffle when his own equipment is destroyed by fire only a few weeks ahead of his daughter’s bat mitzvah. Confused and scared about what to do, he is left worried. It is only at this juncture that his unscrupulous uncle, Uncle Morty, comes into being. Uncle Morty decides on saving him against all the trouble.
But Joey has to go through all the trouble to be saved. Uncle Morty suggests that Joey should get the unique kosher dill recipe of his Grandma Rose and sell it to a buyer to get significant deals. Selling off the recipe will bring huge profits, but it will also bring a lot of trouble to Joey. Well, the grandma is hell-bent on not doing it, and Joey really has to dig into desperate measures to get the recipe.
The good aspect of the movie is Cohen. Since she is an experienced actor, she brings the character to live on stage. There’s just too much, for she has given some impeccable performances like that of Munich and in Sex and the City. There’s very much grace and dignity into it, and all of it goes for bringing out the best.
However, Cohen is forced into various situations along with some really cringe-worthy characters. Watch it and let us know what you did think about it.