SHTTL

Though SHTTL has yet to be released, it’s already making waves at film festivals. I recently saw it at the Montreal Holocaust Museum, and it left a lasting mark.

SHTTL is set in a Ukrainian forest and follows the journey of two young men whose adventure is intertwined with a Hasidic folk story. The film vividly portrays life in a small Ukrainian village near the Polish border as the two men arrive at a lively market. Over 24 hours, the film immerses us in the community, depicting scenes of a bustling market, a Soviet manager, overlapping conversations, and the upcoming marriage of the Rabbi’s daughter. Dreamy sequences and surreal moments in the synagogue capture the essence and spirit of the community in beautiful detail.

The film dives deep into the pre-Nazi invasion era of Ukraine, offering a rich portrayal of the complex relationships between religious and secular Jews, Russian occupiers, and other locals. It brings to life the vibrant and diverse nature of village life before the war, allowing viewers to glimpse this world as it was.

One of the most remarkable aspects of SHTTL is its commitment to authenticity. The film is primarily in Yiddish, with touches of Ukrainian, Russian, and German, grounding viewers in the village’s linguistic and cultural landscape. English subtitles ensure that everyone can fully appreciate the film’s rich cultural tapestry.

The film also has strong ties to Montreal, thanks to producers Eric Gozlan and Joe Sisto. Gozlan, known for his work on Beautiful Boy and Stand Off, and Sisto, who contributed to Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, brought their expertise to this project. Their connection to Montreal and their plans to submit SHTTL for an Oscar in the foreign film category highlight the talent and dedication behind this modern masterpiece.

Understanding the historical context of SHTTL adds even more depth to the film. On June 22, 1941, German troops launched Operation Barbarossa, leading to a brutal campaign against the Soviet Union. Einsatzgruppen units were responsible for the mass murder of approximately 1.25 million Jews, including the execution of over 30,000 Jews at Babi Yar.

In this light, SHTTL is more than just a cinematic triumph; it’s a reminder of the vibrant communities that existed before the devastation of the Nazi invasion. Hats to the team for their remarkable effort in preserving and celebrating this crucial piece of history.

 

“On the 22nd of June 1941, German troops launched Operation Barbarossa, Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union. From the point of view of the Nazis, this was not an ordinary military conflict but a battle against the chief ideological and racial enemies of the German nation.

At the rear of the German army were four Einsatzgruppen special units whose task was to fight against ideological opponents. They were required to kill all Communist functionaries, Jews holding party and state functions, and other radical elements. In reality, however, the main role of these units was to massacre Jewish communities.

To begin with, only Jewish men were murdered, but soon women and children were also being killed. The largest single massacre was the execution of over 30,000 Kievan Jews in Babi Yar at the end of September 1941. It is estimated that these units, aided by local militia and in coordination with the army, slaughtered approximately 1.25 million Jews in all, as well as hundreds of thousands of other Soviet citizens.”¹


Footnotes:

  1. Institut Terezínské Iniciativy. “The Start of the Mass Murder.” Holocaust.cz, 19 July 2011, https://www.holocaust.cz/en/history/final-solution/general-2/the-start-of-the-mass-murder/.

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