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Highlights from the 37th Montreal World Film Festival

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The 37th Montreal World Film Festival transformed the city into a haven for film lovers. Over 400 films were screened from August 22 to September 2, offering something for everyone—from documentaries to dramas. The festival was more than just a showcase of films; it celebrated storytelling and its ability to ignite conversations and leave lasting impressions. This annual event highlights emerging talents and reaffirms cinema’s unique power to connect and inspire audiences.

Life Feels Good: A Story of Perseverance and the Human Spirit

Sometimes, a film leaves you thinking long after the credits roll, and Life Feels Good was one of those. This Polish film, directed by Piotr Piwowarski and based on a true story, received the Grand Prize, the Audience Award, and the Ecumenical Award. It tells the moving story of a boy with disabilities who, despite being misunderstood and underestimated for most of his life, discovers his intelligence and awareness in his thirties. The film’s portrayal of unwavering support from those around him beautifully captures the strength of perseverance and the resilience of the human spirit.

L’autre Maison/Another House: Family Dynamics and Caregiving

L’autre Maison (Another House) immerses us in the lives of two brothers grappling with the difficult reality of caring for their father, who is living with Alzheimer’s. The story’s emotional depth resonates with raw honesty, reflecting the filmmakers’ personal experiences in crafting the script. This authenticity enriches the film’s exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of caregiving, reminding us of the challenges many face in similar situations.

Yiddish: A Tale of Survival: Resilience Across Generations

The festival also gave me the opportunity to showcase my documentary, Yiddish: A Tale of Survival. This film tells the stories of three individuals committed to preserving the Yiddish language through theatre after the Holocaust. It was very meaningful to see how people from different backgrounds connected with the message of resilience and cultural preservation.

A Lasting Impression

What truly defined this year’s Montreal World Film Festival was the diversity of stories and perspectives. Each film offered a unique lens on the human experience, whether through deeply personal tales or broader societal reflections. Beyond entertainment, the festival reaffirmed cinema’s role in fostering empathy, understanding, and connection.

 

The Yiddish Book Center

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The Yiddish Book Centre in Amherst, Massachusetts, embodies the miracle of Yiddish in our time. The center was initially founded by Aaron Lansky in 1980 when he saw the need to save Yiddish books that would have otherwise ended up in the trash heap. The organization has kept over 1 million books to date!

The center’s mission is to tell the whole Jewish story by rescuing, translating and disseminating Yiddish books and presenting innovative educational programs that broaden understanding of modern Jewish identity. As part of continuing the legacy of Yiddish, they regularly invite speakers to talk about Yiddish and Yiddish initiatives.

Last week it was my pleasure to talk about my upcoming documentary Yiddish: A Tale of Survival. I was invited to speak to a group of University students studying Yiddish over the summer. Below is a short excerpt from the talk.

And for more about the film visit, Yiddish: A Tale of Survival.

 

Why Yiddish?

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I am currently working on a documentary film about the transmission of Yiddish since the Holocaust.

Many people ask: Yiddish? Why? Of what use is it?

Yiddish was the day-to-day language of 11 million Jews living in Northern Europe, France to Russia, for over a thousand years. The Holocaust caused the deaths of millions of European-born Jews who spoke Yiddish. The Jewish people’s primary language has now become Hebrew and Yiddish in our time can disappear.

Hebrew, the language of our holy texts – the Torah – has been revived as a spoken language during the last century and is the official language of Israel, spoken by Israelis. Most of the Jewish world now lives and breaths in Hebrew.

So of what use is Yiddish? Israel Bercovici wrote:

Jewish culture entered in dialogue with the outside world, both by putting itself on display and by importing theatrical pieces from other cultures. So “Is Yiddish important”? Is culture important? Is being Jewish important? Only you can answer that question.

In my documentary, I focus on the lives of three people who have devoted their lives to ensuring Yiddish’s survival: Shmuel Atzmon, a Holocaust survivor; Bryna Wasserman, a second-generation Yiddish artist; and Milena Kartovsky, a third-generation Yiddish performer from Paris.

I invite you to watch this important documentary about Yiddish, which talks about the transmission of Yiddish from generation to generation in North America, Israel, and Europe.