Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories &amp; Themes in Cinema – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

"A Real Pain" Movie Trailer

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A Real Pain w/ Sam Ostroff

Season 4

Thursday, February 6, 2025 • Duration 01:19:25

Daniel & Harry dive into "A Real Pain" with guest Sam Ostroff. Jesse Eisenberg’s latest film takes two bickering cousins on a Holocaust-themed road trip through Poland—what could go wrong?

They explore how the film navigates inherited trauma, the many ways a “Jewish experience” can look on screen, and what Martin Buber’s "I & Thou" has to do with family dysfunction. Plus, a stop in Lublin, where history looms large. Tune in for laughs, existential musings, and just the right amount of Jewish guilt.

"A Real Pain" on IMdB

"A Real Pain" Conversation Guide from Reboot Studios

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X-Men First Class on Trailer

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Jewish Themes in 'X-Men: First Class' – A Deep Dive with Yacov Freedman | Jews on Film

Season 4

Thursday, August 8, 2024 • Duration 01:15:58

In this electrifying episode of Jews on Film, Daniel and Harry are thrilled to be joined by Yacov Freedman, Sr. Producer of TCM's acclaimed series The Plot Thickens. Together, they dive into the dazzling world of 2011's X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn. 🦸‍♂️💥

This action-packed discussion covers everything from Magneto's poignant backstory as a Holocaust survivor to the X-Men's historical role as stand-ins for marginalized members of the Jewish, LGBTQ+, and Black communities .

📽️✨ As they unpack the film's historical influences and character dynamics, you'll also hear Harry's heartfelt confession of his admiration for Michael Fassbender.

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the superhero saga's deeper meanings and its cultural impact! 🌟🦹‍♀️

X-Men First Class on IMDb

Yacov's Links

The Plot Thickens on Apple Podcasts

Yacov Freedman on Twitter

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The Nightingale of Iran Podcast

BONUS: The Nightingale of Iran Episode One - The Time Machine

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 • Duration 34:39

Daniel and Harry had Danielle Dardashti on last week to discuss the film Persepolis, and this week they are sharing the first episode of Danielle's series, "The Nightingale of Iran", enjoy!

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Sisters Danielle and Galeet Dardashti grew up in a Jewish American family band: The Dardashti Family. They sang international folk music in 12 languages – English, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, Greek, Spanish, French, Japanese and more – but never any songs in Persian. This seems odd to them since both their father and grandfather were famous Iranian singers during the “Golden Age” for Jews in Iran, before the Islamic Revolution. Danielle and Galeet make a discovery that takes them back in time, and helps them find answers to their questions about why their family left Iran and abandoned their Iranian identity.

Co-creators / Co-executive producers - Danielle Dardashti and Galeet Dardashti

The Nightingale of Iran - nightingaleofiran.com

Presented by The Jewish Telegraphic Agency, a publication of 70 Faces Media

Host - Danielle Dardashti

Writer / Director / Senior Producer - Danielle Dardashti

Producer / Musical Director / Subject Matter Expert - Galeet Dardashti

Audio Editors / Sound Designers - Rebecca Seidel and Zachary Goldberg

Story Editor - Rider Alsop

Story Consultant - Asal Ehsanipour

Composer of Theme Song - Galeet Dardashti: “Melekh” from her album Monajat, featuring Younes Dardashti (with Shanir Blumenkranz, Max ZT, Zafer Tawil, Philip Mayer)

In Episode 1, The Time Machine, you heard our conversations with: Farid and Sheila Dardashti, Shahla Javdan, Homa Sarshar, Lili Keypour, and Nahid Pirnazar.

Persepolis w/ Danielle Dardashti

Season 4

Thursday, July 25, 2024 • Duration 01:12:59

Daniel and Harry are joined by Danielle Dardashti, co-creator and producer of "The Nightingale of Iran" podcast to discuss "Persepolis," the 2007 animated film co-directed by Marjane Satrapi.

They discuss Marjane’s split sense of identity throughout the film, and Danielle shares parallel stories of her grandfather that reflect the experience of living in Iran during the fall of the Shah and rise of the Islamic Fundamentalism during the late 1970s.

Then the three talk about religious as well as national persecution for Iranians at that time and finish up the discussion weighing the pros and cons of various modern storytelling mediums such as graphic novel, animated film, and audio podcast.

As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.

Persepolis Movie Trailer

Persepolis on IMDB

Danielle's Links

Danielle Dardashti on Instagram

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"Kentucky Fried Movie" Trailer

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Kentucky Fried Movie w/ Adam Lisagor

Thursday, July 4, 2024 • Duration 01:11:33

Daniel and Harry are joined by Adam Lisagor, commercial director and founder of Sandwich, to discuss the 1977 film “Kentucky Fried Movie” directed by ZAZ.

Adam first shares how the film had a profound impact on his directing tone & style. Then he shares a few Zucker stories from past family gatherings, rates the commercial parodies in the film, and the three even welcome legendary producer Samuel J Bronkowitz!

As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.

IMDB

Adam’s Links

Sandwich

Adam Lisagor on Twitter

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Raye Schiller on Instagram

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Bottoms w/ Raye Schiller

Season 4

Thursday, June 20, 2024 • Duration 01:06:28

Daniel and Harry are joined by comedian and co-host of the Yenta podcast, Raye Schiller to discuss the 2023 film "Bottoms" directed by Emma Seligman.

First, they unravel how PJ and Josie's sarcasm and lies unwittingly sow chaos among their classmates. Then, they dissect the tribalism between school cliques, revealing subtle Jewish undertones. Finally, they explore Rachel Sennot’s knack for portraying Jewish-coded characters and her standout role in this film.

As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.

IMDb Page

Movie Trailer

Raye's Links

Yenta! Podcast

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Read David's Story "Chelm, NJ"

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Indiana Jones & the Raiders of The Lost Ark w/ David Tuchman

Season 4

Thursday, June 6, 2024 • Duration 01:14:39

Join Daniel & Harry on an exhilarating adventure as they welcome acclaimed writer and podcaster David Tuchman to unearth the Jewish treasures buried within Steven Spielberg's iconic 1981 masterpiece, "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark."

Prepare to delve into the thrilling world of archaeology, exploring how it sets out to preserve ancient traditions, artifacts, and customs. Discover the fascinating accuracy behind the depiction of the Ark of the Covenant and uncover the hidden depths Spielberg wove into the film. The conversation takes a bold turn as they analyze the portrayal of Nazis as unequivocal villains and ponder the possibility of such clear-cut antagonists in contemporary cinema.

As the episode reaches its climax, our hosts highlight the most Jewish moments, debate the “stretches of the pod,” and tackle the ultimate question: Is "Raiders of the Lost Ark" good for the Jews?

Tune in for a riveting discussion, packed with insights and spirited rankings of the film’s overall Jewishness.

IMDb Page

Movie Trailer

David Tuchman's Links

Listen to OMGWTFBIBLE

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Made for Each Other w/ Becky Feldman

Season 4

Friday, May 24, 2024 • Duration 01:11:03

Daniel and Harry welcome actress, performer, and host of the podcast "Too Stupid to Live" to discuss the 2023 Hallmark film "Made For Each Other".

After tracing the mythological roots of the Golem, they discuss the notion of doing what you truly want versus what's expected of you, imperfection as positive trait rather than something to shy away from, and finally they settle the score the best flavor of babka and how to pronounce kugel.

As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.

IMDb Page

Movie Trailer

Becky's Links

Too Stupid to Live

Becky Feldman on instagram

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