The battle to keep Yiddish Theater alive into the 21st century continues.The battle to keep Yiddish Theater alive into the 21st century continues.The battle to keep Yiddish Theater alive into the 21st century continues.
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Featured review
Documentary - Yiddish Theater - New York City - 2006
YIDDISH THEATER: A Love Story A Documentary Film by DAN KATZIR Reviewed by Martin Brandfon
I had the opportunity to see this gem of a film at the Peninsula JCC in Foster City, CA, last month (with the Director in attendance) and if you find it playing anywhere near you, call your friends and family to go see it!
Perhaps the title of the film is a little misleading; this is not a Yiddish film but it is a "love story" on many levels. (There are subtitles for the Yiddish parts and to help better understand the star's accented English.) The love objects are many: keeping Yiddish theater alive in New York; the close relationships between the dedicated "Yiddish Diva" Zypora Spaisman and her producer David Romeo; as well as the growing rapport between the film maker and his subject.
Filmed against the backdrop of New York City at Hanukkah time in 2000, the story unfolds: the aged but energetic star of the Yiddish Public Theater is trying to bring her off-Broadway production of Peretz' 1916 play, "Green Fields," to a theater closer to Times Square to attract bigger audiences. Despite a great review in the New York Times and inclusion as one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway Plays by the New York Post, raising enough money to move the show is the problem and the goal. The burning Hanukkah candles tick off the days until the final curtain falls.
The film captures the spirit and drive of the actress and provides an intimate portrait of the impact of her life's work on the play's cast, her family, her friends and ultimately on Yiddish theater. It also proves that no matter how old you are, dreams really can come true. Zypora Spaisman is an inspiration and Dan Katzir has preserved her unforgettable character for this generation.
In speaking to the Director, Dan Katzir, I realized that a parallel struggle exists in producing theater and distributing this documentary to wider audiences. The film has recently been shown in New York City at the Pioneer Theatre and in Los Angeles at Laemmle's Grande. Both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times gave it positive reviews but these screenings were limited runs. (Last year's showings at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival were sold out hits!)
So, if you are in a position to bring this film to your synagogue, JCC or other community organization, please contact the Dan Katzir, dan@newlovefilms.com and check out his other award-winning films at www.newlovefilms.com.
I had the opportunity to see this gem of a film at the Peninsula JCC in Foster City, CA, last month (with the Director in attendance) and if you find it playing anywhere near you, call your friends and family to go see it!
Perhaps the title of the film is a little misleading; this is not a Yiddish film but it is a "love story" on many levels. (There are subtitles for the Yiddish parts and to help better understand the star's accented English.) The love objects are many: keeping Yiddish theater alive in New York; the close relationships between the dedicated "Yiddish Diva" Zypora Spaisman and her producer David Romeo; as well as the growing rapport between the film maker and his subject.
Filmed against the backdrop of New York City at Hanukkah time in 2000, the story unfolds: the aged but energetic star of the Yiddish Public Theater is trying to bring her off-Broadway production of Peretz' 1916 play, "Green Fields," to a theater closer to Times Square to attract bigger audiences. Despite a great review in the New York Times and inclusion as one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway Plays by the New York Post, raising enough money to move the show is the problem and the goal. The burning Hanukkah candles tick off the days until the final curtain falls.
The film captures the spirit and drive of the actress and provides an intimate portrait of the impact of her life's work on the play's cast, her family, her friends and ultimately on Yiddish theater. It also proves that no matter how old you are, dreams really can come true. Zypora Spaisman is an inspiration and Dan Katzir has preserved her unforgettable character for this generation.
In speaking to the Director, Dan Katzir, I realized that a parallel struggle exists in producing theater and distributing this documentary to wider audiences. The film has recently been shown in New York City at the Pioneer Theatre and in Los Angeles at Laemmle's Grande. Both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times gave it positive reviews but these screenings were limited runs. (Last year's showings at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival were sold out hits!)
So, if you are in a position to bring this film to your synagogue, JCC or other community organization, please contact the Dan Katzir, dan@newlovefilms.com and check out his other award-winning films at www.newlovefilms.com.
helpful•00
- mbrandfon-1
- Oct 6, 2008
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Dan Katzir Video Diary #2
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $250,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $40,182
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,886
- Nov 25, 2007
- Gross worldwide
- $40,182
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
Top Gap
By what name was Yiddish Theater: A Love Story (2005) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer