Hannah Cohen's Holy Communion

For me it was a little too pretty, too obviously constructed and color-coordinated, from the first title all the way through to the adorable credits. Sets designed by someone who no doubt works in an Instagram-worthy office space and has a designated gift-wrapping room. Likewise, the action was organized with an extraordinarily explicit color scheme. So many orange accents: the VW bug, the headband, and on and on. The mise en scene, including the music box-like soundtrack, was so charming and orderly that it might trigger a nostalgia gag reflex. The little girl star acted naturally and well. The priest was good. Curious about the choice of a shiksa to play a Jewish mom. Then I googled Jewish population of Ireland. Now I get it. While too sentimental for my taste, I can appreciate a lot of planning went into making such a pretty short.

The Holy Communion as the desire of Hannah. A religion difference and lovly cinematography, music, nice acting. Sins - maybe the too didactic and not credible end, the Greek- Orthodox icons from the entrance in the Romano- Catholic church, the obvious desire to give a touching, tender and just lovely film. But, in essence, it remains a beautiful short film.

"Hannah Cohen's Holy Communion" (2012 release from the UK; 13 min.) finds a little Jewish girl named Hannah running into a friend of hers who happens to have her Holy Communion that day. "You get to dress up like a princess and get lots of presents, it's the best day ever!" tells her friend. That convinces Hannah that she needs to partake in that as well... To tell you more might spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this a delightful shortie dealing with Jewish identity issues, in a lighthearted yet effective way. How can a 7 yr. old girl resist the glamor and appeal of "the best day ever"? I recently saw this at the 2017 Jewish & Israeli Film Festival here in Cincinnati. No idea why a movie from 2012 shows up 5 years later, but better late than never I suppose. The audience absolutely loved this movie, laughing at all the right times, and giving an applause at the end of it. If you have a chance to see "Hannah Cohen's Holy Communion", do not miss it!