- Dough w/ Meir Zwanziger | 4/20 Special Episode
In honor of 4/20, Daniel and Harry are joined by friend of the podcast, Meir Zwanziger, to discuss the 2015 film Dough starring Jonathan Pryce and Jerome Holder.
Before diving into the movie, they share their experiences with cannabis and explore the possible historical connections between Judaism and cannabis.
Then the trio discusses the depiction of Jewish and Muslim religious traditions in the film, as well as the portrayal of socio-economic and generational divides among the various characters.
Finally, they end the episode by selecting their most Jewish scenes, “stretches of the pod,” debating if the movie is “good for the Jews” and ranking the film’s overall Jewishness.
IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517471/
Movie Trailer - https://youtu.be/Y7b4IoNRhtk
Meir's Links
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S4 - 1h 5m - Apr 21, 2024 - Big Night w/ Leah Koenig
Daniel and Harry don their chef whites and sharpen their kitchen knives as they welcome food writer Leah Koenig for their biggest meal yet: a hearty discussion of 1996's "Big Night" co-directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci.
Join them as they go on a spiritual journey through the film and celebrate the divine nature of a great meal.
Leah's Links
The Jewish Table (Leah's Substack)
Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQhoYLsoHI
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115678/
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products
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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S4 - 1h 10m - Apr 11, 2024 - Reversal of Fortune w/ Jason Zinoman
Join Harry, Daniel, and their guest Jason Zinoman, critic at large for The New York Times, as they share a plate of ginger prawns (Kosher of course) at their favorite Chinese Restaurant and unpack the Jewishness of Barbet Schroeder’s “Reversal of Fortune,” starring Glenn Close, Ron Silver, and Jeremy Irons in an Oscar winning performance.
Tune in to hear them discuss the way protagonist Alan Dershowitz is faced with positive and negative stereotypes of his Jewishness, debate Judaism’s perspective on upholding the law when things get morally ambiguous, and answer the question of whether or not Claus Von Bulow has a good sense of humor.
Finally, they end the episode by selecting their most Jewish scenes, “stretches of the pod,” debating if the movie is “good for the Jews” and ranking the film’s overall Jewishness.
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100486/
Movie Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU7cBiiYcUg
Jason’s Links
The Martin Chronicles Podcast - https://martinchronicles.buzzsprout.com/
Jason on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zinomanj/
Jason on Twitter - https://x.com/zinoman
Connect with Jews on Film online:
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S4 - 1h 14m - Mar 28, 2024 - This is Spinal Tap w/ Yoshie Fruchter
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.
Check out the new Sandcatchers album, The Lines
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S4 - 1h 16m - Mar 14, 2024 - BONUS: Seattle Jewish Film Festival Interview w/ Director Pamela Lavitt
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/
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S4 - 28m - Feb 29, 2024 - When Harry Met Sally... w/Temim Fruchter
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.
Temim's Links
City of Laughter on Bookshop.org
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S4 - 1h 16m - Jan 17, 2024 - Hudson Hawk w/ Adam Mansbach
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.
Adam Mansbach Links
Adam's Book The Golem of Brooklyn
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
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S4 - 1h 17m - Jan 4, 2024 - Defending Your Life w/ Gil Ozeri
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.
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
1h 26m - Dec 21, 2023 - Meet the Parents w/ Noah Gittell
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.
Follow Noah Gittell on Instagram
Follow Noah Gittell on Twitter
Connect with Jews on Film online:
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Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S3 - 1h 24m - Dec 7, 2023 - The Rabbi's Cat w/Daniel Lobell
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.
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
1h 29m - Nov 9, 2023 - The Pawnbroker w/Nira Burstein
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.
Watch Charm Circle on the Criterion Channel
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
1h 25m - Oct 26, 2023 - Beau is Afraid w/ Nathan Cykiert
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.
Nathan's Links
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
1h 29m - Oct 12, 2023 - Fiddler on The Roof w/ Leah Gottfried
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_lnk
Trailer - https://youtu.be/gsDP-90j9x8?si=aKploYuwxI10ZGgH
Leah's Links
We Don't Talk About Haman music video
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S3 - 1h 26m - Sep 28, 2023 - Bonus: Jews on Film on "You're Missing Out" discussing Tevye (1939)
Daniel & Harry recently had the opportunity to be guests on You're Missing Out to discuss the 1939 Yiddish film Tevye, starring Maurice Schwartz. Enjoy!
"He's as accustomed to the whip as I am to poverty."
You might know Sholem Aleichem's celebrated comedic hero of Yiddish literature, Tevye (or Tevya) from the musical Fiddler on the Roof. But decades earlier, titan of the Yiddish theatre scene Maurice Schwartz got a camera and a cast together and brought Aleichem's stories to the silver screen for the first time with Tevye.
We teamed up with Daniel Zana & Harry Ottensoser from Jews on Film to discuss the significance of this, the first non-English film ever inducted into the National Film Registry. We look at how it reflects the culture of the Jewish diaspora of both Aleichem and Schwartz's era, the brief but impactful Yiddish Cinema movement, and of course...tradition!
Follow You're Missing Out on Twitter
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Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S3 - 1h 45m - Sep 14, 2023 - Bonus: You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah Interview with Director Sammi Cohen
Daniel & Harry speak to Sammi Cohen for a bonus episode conversation about the film "You Are so not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah," streaming now on Netflix.
Tune in to hear Sammi’s thoughts on Jewish humor, what the modern Jewish world looks like, and on the validity behind some of Daniel and Harry’s wildest stretches.
Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/LXciH__hbTw
Sammi’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/sammicohen
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S4 - 20m - Sep 7, 2023 - Waltz with Bashir w/ Elan Golod
Daniel and Harry are joined by Elan Golod, director of "Nathan-ism," to discuss the 2008 film "Waltz with Bashir" directed by Ari Folman.
They cover the film’s exploration of memory and its malleability, dive deep into the distinction between historical truth vs story truth (and its relation to Jewish Midrash and the Seder), and make the case for why this film might be more Israeli than strictly Jewish.
As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.
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Connect with Jews on Film online:
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S3 - 1h 8m - Aug 24, 2023 - The Apartment w/ Julie Klausner
Daniel and Harry are joined by actor, comedian, and writer Julie Klausner to discuss the 1960 classic, “The Apartment” directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.
They attempt to read the film’s protagonists as emblematic of the Jewish immigrant, marvel at the strong Jewish representation in the Dreyfuss characters and their promotion of “being a mensch,” and make the case that this may be one of the best movies “for the Jews.”
As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.
Listen to Julie Klausner on the Double Threat Podcast
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S3 - 1h 2m - Aug 10, 2023 - Born Yesterday w/ Michael Schulman
Daniel and Harry are joined by New Yorker staff writer Michael Schulman, author of Oscar Wars, to discuss about the 1950 classic film, "Born Yesterday" directed by George Cukor and starring Judy Holliday and William Holden.
They talk about the film's journey from Broadway to the big screen and Judy Holliday's long campaign to be cast as the lead in the film. They also cover how "Born Yesterday" places value on being an educated person, how assimilation is depicted onscreen, and what the movie has to say about democracy and the political system in Washington D.C.
As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.
Follow Michael Schulman on Twitter
Born Yesterday on IMDB- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042276/
Born Yesterday trailer on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QL3NsTHAQ8s
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S3 - 1h 11m - Jul 27, 2023 - Airplane! w/ Eli Lebowicz
Daniel and Harry are joined by comedian Eli Lebowicz to discuss the 1980 film "Airplane!" directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker.
They discuss the film’s layered, Talmudic approach to humor, uncover the Biblical origins of Jewish sarcasm, and consider how much longer the famous Jewish athletes leaflet would be in 2023!
As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.
Airplane! on IMdb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080339/
Airplane! Trailer - https://youtu.be/JWNBROLN8Oc
Connect with Eli Leibowicz
Twitter - https://twitter.com/EliLebowicz
Website - http://www.elicomedy.com/
Connect with Jews on Film online:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
S3 - 59m - Jul 13, 2023 - Crossing Delancey w/ Jenny Caplan
Daniel and Harry are joined by Dr. Jennifer Caplan, author of Funny You Don't Look Funny, to discuss 1988’s “Crossing Delancey,” directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring Amy Irving and Peter Riegert.
They discuss the film’s themes of tradition versus progress within Judaism, unpack how Sam represents, and ultimately subverts, the “Nice Jewish Boy” trope, and analyze how the film respects Izzy’s journey towards finding the right path for herself, without judgement.
As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.
Buy Jenny's book Funny You Don't Look Funny online
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Connect with Jews on Film online:
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S3 - 1h 7m - Jun 29, 2023
