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PODCAST

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema

Daniel Zana & Harry Ottensoser

Daniel Zana & Harry Ottensoser discuss films of all types to investigate what truly makes a film Jewish. Covering everything from Fiddler on the Roof to Uncut Gems, they finish each episode by ranking the film’s production, content, and themes on a scale of 1 to 5 Jewish stars. Listen each week to find out!

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

72:20

Bookstores, Romance, and Identity in "You’ve Got...

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/10/31

In this season four premiere of Jews on Film, Daniel & Harry are back to dive into the timeless charm and nuanced layers of Nora Ephron's beloved romantic comedy, You’ve Got Mail.Joining them is Ilana Kaplan, author of Nora Ephron at the Movies, to explore how Ephron’s witty writing and sentimental storytelling capture Jewish identity, New York City, and the intricate dance of love in the digital age.Together, they discuss the film’s iconic scenes, the cultural nostalgia of ‘90s New York,

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70:57

Finding Your Chutzpah: Breaking Boundaries in...

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/09/11

Join Harry and Daniel as they dive into the world of Girlfriends—the groundbreaking 1978 film by Claudia Weil that some have called "the Jewish Frances Ha."This week, they’re joined by filmmaker and actress Jessie Kahnweiler to unpack the story of Susan, played by Melanie Mayron, as she navigates life, friendship, and independence in a way that’s as bold as it is relatable.Expect a lively discussion about Susan’s undeniable chutzpah, the film’s nuanced portrayal of female friendship, and

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80:24

Documentary or Satire? Decoding Albert Brooks' "Real...

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/08/22

Harry and Daniel welcome acclaimed director Eddie Schmidt to the pod to discuss Albert Brooks’ pioneering meta-documentary “Real Life,” released in 1979. Join them as they track the film’s exploration of truth and reality, and Brooks’ repeated meddling in the “reality” of his subjects. They then consider the different modes of performance in the film, and discuss how a God-fearing Jew is uniquely equipped to survive in an overly-observed world. Finally, they discuss the shlemiel and shlimazel

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75:58

X-Men: First Class w/ Yacov Freedman

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/08/08

In this electrifying episode of Jews on Film, Daniel and Harry are thrilled to be joined by the 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 .📽️✨

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34:39

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

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/07/30

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!____________________________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

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72:59

Persepolis w/ Danielle Dardashti

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/07/25

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

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71:33

Kentucky Fried Movie w/ Adam Lisagor

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/07/04

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

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66:28

Bottoms w/ Raye Schiller

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/06/20

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

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74:39

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

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/06/06

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

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71:03

Made for Each Other w/ Becky Feldman

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/05/24

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

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56:19

Moneyball w/ Daniel Robbins

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/05/09

Batter Up! Daniel & Harry welcome film maker Daniel Robbins to discuss the 2011 film, "Moneyball" directed by Bennet Miller and starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.They discuss the notions of tradition vs progress in baseball as well as Judaism, the use of statistics and negotiating depicted in the film, and discuss which biblical figures Billy Beane and Peter Brand most resemble.Finally, they end the episode by selecting their most Jewish scenes, “stretches of

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65:42

Dough w/ Meir Zwanziger | 4/20 Special Episode

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/04/21

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

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70:05

Big Night w/ Leah Koenig

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/04/11

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 LinksBuy Leah's cookbook PorticoThe Jewish Table (Leah's Substack)Leah Koenig on InstagramMovie Trailer:

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74:57

Reversal of Fortune w/ Jason Zinoman

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/03/28

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

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76:43

This is Spinal Tap w/ Yoshie Fruchter

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/03/14

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

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28:23

BONUS: Seattle Jewish Film Festival Interview w/...

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/02/29

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 -

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76:31

When Harry Met Sally... w/Temim Fruchter

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/01/17

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

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77:57

Hudson Hawk w/ Adam Mansbach

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2024/01/04

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

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86:14

Defending Your Life w/ Gil Ozeri

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2023/12/21

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

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84:45

Meet the Parents w/ Noah Gittell

Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in... ·

2023/12/07

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

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98 results

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