Some Sunday Simcha Suggestions

A few suggestions for some wonderful cinema that I thought might be of interest to you all. They are right up the alley of a program devoted to Jewish music and thought---be it serious or be it comedic---or be it cultural. Which, as you know, is Sunday Simcha on WFDU (89.1 FM) in the NY/NJ area and on the web http://www.wfdu.fm/

Let us start with Gloomy Sunday. This magnificent film has been around for quite some years and has travelled around the world and is probably what one might, now, consider a cult film.

It is a brilliant Hungarian film in German. A study of the relationships and the events of a group of people---German, Jewish, male, female and the history that envelopes them from the late 1930s until the near present time. The take is quite different than other films of this genre and also makes it more personal.



Without giving away the plot which is unique let me just say that during the last 10 minutes or so of this film one should not take their eyes off the screen. There is a subtle and interesting event that puts the entire film into perspective---or should I say context. Alfred Hitchcock not withstanding---this is brilliant.


Now here is a truly happy person---Dani Levy. He is accepting the Lola prize for the wonderful film, " Alles Fur Zucker". One of the first films to be able to

poke fun at the Jewish community in Germany. A film that contrasts the East Germans and West Germans, the Orthodox and the Non-Orthodox in the most hilarious and touching ways.

At the awards Henry Hubchen, the lead, said---"I Beat Hitler"---referring to his award ahead of the actor that captured the character of dear old Adolf in "The Downfall" (who's performance was brilliant).

The confrontations between the Orthodox brother and the gambling and alleged neer-do- well brother from the West is truly a must see. For its comedic and its human insights it is a must not miss film.

I hope to be able to mention other things of interest for listeners to Sunday Simcha and I also hope that you will keep listening for a program that I hope fills a void in our cultural fabric in this area---and on the web. You can listen on the web, as you know