Rashevski's Tango (2003)

Adolphe 'Dolfo' Rashevski travels to Israel with grandson Ric, but his brother, orthodox rabbi Samuel 'Shmouel, refuses to come attend their fellow Auschwitz survivor sister Rosa's funeral.... See full summary »

Director:

Sam Garbarski

Writers:

Philippe Blasband, Sam Garbarski

Stars:

Natan Cogan, Ishai Golan, Mosko Alkalai

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natan Cogan	...	Dolfo
Ishai Golan	...	Youval
Mosko Alkalai	...	Rabbi Shmouel (as Moscu Alcalay)
Rudi Rosenberg	...	Ric Rashevski
Michel Jonasz	...	Simon Rashevski
Tania Garbarski	...	Nina
Daniel Mesguich	...	David Rashevski
Ludmila Mikaël	...	Isabelle
Jonathan Zaccaï	...	Jonathan Rashevski
Hippolyte Girardot	...	Antoine
Sébastien Radovitch	...	Patron café russe
Michel Wouters	...	Employé morgue
Selma Kouchy	...	Khadija
Laurent Capelluto	...	Rabin Elie
Alexander Wajnberg	...	Le Shammes

Storyline

Adolphe 'Dolfo' Rashevski travels to Israel with grandson Ric, but his brother, orthodox rabbi Samuel 'Shmouel, refuses to come attend their fellow Auschwitz survivor sister Rosa's funeral. Back in their home, the whole well-integrated family and their 'gojim' (non-Jewish and would-be) partners regularly wrestle with the meaning of Jewish blood, traditions and religion. For one it seems the way to gain a wife, for others the bomb under or the obstacle for a marriage. Yet love tends to conquer all but death.

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Plot Keywords:

kiss | sex | bed | scolding | ritual | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Belgium Luxembourg France

Language:

English Hebrew French

Release Date:

3 September 2003 (France)

Also Known As:

Rashevski's Tango

Filming Locations:

Luxembourg

Company Credits

Production Co:

AB3, Archipel 35, Ateliers de Baere

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Delightful film about the diaspora experience

This is a delightful film, but in order to appreciate it fully one would need some knowledge about Jewish life in the diaspora.

It tells the story about a family of assimilated Belgian Jews, how they struggle with defining their Judaism, their family, and themselves.

There are three generations of the Rashevsky family, each of which has experienced the major forces of its era. For the oldest generation, the defining event was the Holocaust; for the middle generation, growing up in wartorn Europe and being 2nd generation after the Holocaust; finally, for the 3rd generation, dealing with assimilation and modern life in a Western culture.

The performances are nuanced, the director wisely chose the "less is more" route in the actors' interpretations of their roles. The film begins with a gripping scene that can only be gradually understood as the film tells its tale. (And the final scene has a very nice, slightly ironic, way of coming full circle).

As the film progresses, the thread of the family's story slowly unwinds. Each character comes to grips with his or her angst about Judaism, family, and what he or she wants, ending in poignance and redemption. While things don't end neatly tied together so that everyone finds the same answers - a feature of modern American TV and movies, unfortunately - it does realistically portray choices made, their rationale, and how we live with those choices.

Overall, a sensitive, lovely portrait of modern Jewish life in the diaspora, and the issues we face. I hope I have done it justice. 9 out of 10.