Between the Temples and the New Jewish Cinema

As a Jew who has navigated through my own share of antisemitic encounters, I find immense appreciation for the new wave of Jewish cinema that is boldly breaking stereotypes and exploring the complexities of Jewish identity. The Fabelmans beautifully demonstrates the resilience and artistic expression that Jews have used to overcome adversity, a message that resonates deeply with me.

How can we identify a movie as being Jewish? This question doesn’t have a clear-cut answer, much like the diverse perspectives within Judaism itself. As the old saying goes, “Two Jews, three opinions.” While films about the Holocaust or those with a Woody Allenesque humor may spring to mind initially, there isn’t a strict definition of what constitutes a Jewish film. A movie can be considered Jewish if it features Jewish themes or plotlines, but interpretations can vary widely among viewers.

In the category of heartwarming comedies lies “Between The Temples,” directed by Nathan Silver. This film, which had a successful debut at Sundance, centers around a downcast cantor (Jason Schwartzman) aiding his ex-music teacher (Carol Kane) in her preparations for a late-life Bat Mitzvah. The movie will hit theaters on August 23, offering it to a broader audience. However, its arrival seems more than just a movie event; it’s part of a growing trend: films that unashamedly portray Jewish culture without focusing on historical hardship.

Silver’s movie represents a pivotal shift in modern American Jewish cinema, featuring a diverse range of genres that challenge conventions and delve into the complexities of being Jewish in today’s world. In these films, Jewish characters can embody heroism, romantic appeal, or even unsavory personalities you might encounter.

These movies – Between the Temples, Uncut Gems, Armageddon Time, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, The Fabelmans, Beau is Afraid, and Shiva Baby – showcase a fresh, unrestricted portrayal of Jewish life. In today’s society, being Jewish often involves engaging with articles that tell you how to think or behave. However, these films, all released within the last five years, serve as reminders that the Jewish experience is far from a single narrative.

In contrasting tones, two movies focusing on a Bat Mitzvah, ‘Between the Temples’ and ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)’, feel as if they originate from separate realms. The former, ‘Between the Temples’, delves into awkward humor and intensely nerve-wracking dinner sequences, while the latter, ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)’, presents a heartfelt and amusing teen comedy. Despite their differences in tone, they both provide unique perspectives on Jewish life, going beyond just the ceremony itself. ‘Bat Mitzvah’ portrays the struggle of maintaining Jewish values taught in Hebrew School amidst middle school pressures, while ‘Between the Temples’ investigates the journey of rediscovering one’s religious identity as we grow older.

Characters in these movies exhibit differing levels of spirituality. The horror film “Beau is Afraid” (2023), dubbed by Ari Aster as a “Jewish version of ‘The Lord of the Rings,'” may not explicitly reference Judaism, but subtle hints are sprinkled throughout for those in the know, such as the distinctive sound of the shofar in the climax. On the other hand, “Shiva Baby” (2020), a remarkable blend of anxiety and humor, features a protagonist named Danielle (played by Rachel Sennott) who is not particularly engaged with Judaism’s religious aspects, but her parents are. These films delve into both cultural and religious facets of Judaism, with “Shiva Baby” generating significant tension through conversations between Danielle and her parents about the faith practices of certain characters.

In 2022, it’s noteworthy that two films set in different periods, “Armageddon Time” and “The Fabelmans”, both dealing with the Jewish experience, were released close together. This isn’t a common occurrence, especially when neither film is focused on the Holocaust. Over the years, audiences have come to anticipate period films about Judaism during World War II due to movies like “Schindler’s List”, “The Pianist”, and “Life Is Beautiful”. However, these two films stand out because they are deeply personal, semi-autobiographical stories that delve into the filmmakers’ nuclear families, even if they don’t focus directly on Judaism. Instead, they subtly touch upon the religion through uniquely specific family experiences. Moreover, both films engage with contemporary aspects of the Jewish experience.

James Gray’s movie titled “Armageddon Times” delves into the filmmaker’s own childhood experiences in New York during the 1980s. The main character, Paul Graff (played by Banks Repeta), aspires to be an artist against his parents’ strict yet loving wishes. His grandfather (Anthony Hopkins) provides him with wise guidance to chase his dreams. This movie portrays Paul’s middle-class Jewish upbringing while simultaneously examining how this identity intersects with his privileges as a white individual, notably in relation to his Black best friend Johnny (Jaylin Webb). The film illustrates the Graff family’s efforts to blend into American culture for survival and success, including altering their last name to make their Jewish roots less conspicuous. “Armageddon Time” grapples with themes of privilege and race, showcasing members of Paul’s family using offensive language and reaping benefits from their skin color despite facing discrimination. It also highlights how Judaism hinders the Graff family but whiteness propels them ahead.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’d say Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a deeply personal journey for teenage Sammy Fableman (Gabriel LaBelle), his family, and themselves as they navigate cross-country moves from New Jersey to Arizona, then California. The story unfolds as Sammy experiences intense prejudice due to his Jewish identity, enduring verbal and physical attacks at school. Instead of succumbing to this hate, resilient Sammy boldly confronts his tormentors, earning their respect through his unwavering spirit and extraordinary filmmaking talents.

As a movie reviewer, I found Josh and Benny Safdie’s 2019 crime-thriller, “Uncut Gems“, to be a compelling exploration of character complexity through the lens of Jewish identity. The protagonist, Howard (played brilliantly by Adam Sandler), is far from your typical Jewish character in cinema – he’s greedy, deceitful, and materialistic, traits that he wears as badges of honor rather than apologizing for them.

From a movie enthusiast’s perspective:

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2024-08-23 19:06