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Interview: telling David's story
Conrad Astley27/ 1/2006
Song of Songs - perhaps the first ever film to be set in Britain's orthodox Jewish community - is to be shown in Manchester as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival. Conrad Astley spoke to actor Joel Chalfen.
THE UK Jewish Film Festival, opening in Manchester this week,
provides audiences with a rare opportunity to see films from around
the world.
But while the two-week event is dominated by American, Israeli, and
European productions, Song of Songs is one of Britain's few
contributions.
The film, which received rave reviews after appearing at other
festivals across the UK, tells the story of Ruth, a devoutly
religious orthodox Jew, who returns to London after a period in
Israel to look after her sick mother.
The woman's dying wish is to be reunited with her estranged son
David, who has rejected the faith, and Ruth faces the difficult
task of bringing him back into the fold.
It goes on to explore the complex relationship between the
siblings, and the question of what happened to their father.
London-based actor Joel Chalfen, who plays David and is coming to
Manchester to hold a question and answer session after the film,
said he could sympathise with the character.
"On one hand it's a very intense drama about a family at crisis
point," he said. "But what's really presented is a battle between
the religious life and the secular life.
"That's perhaps the biggest question that the film leaves open. I
wouldn't like to say the film gives any answers, it's a film that
asks questions.
"There's elements of the character that I can relate to. He's quite
a vicious character, capable of some brutal force, which isn't
something I have myself - not that I know of.
"But I do understand what it is to grow up in a community that has
religion at its heart, and to want to escape that and find your own
voice."
The film's setting, in London's orthodox Jewish community, is one
that is rarely seen in film.
Although audiences are used to seeing American and European Jewish
groups represented on celluloid, some critics have described Song
of Songs as a "cinematic milestone" for being the first to be set
among British orthodox Jews.
"I'm not sure that doesn't say something more about the British
film industry," Joel said.
"It's something to do with way the British are struggling with the
different communities within our society, but it could be as much
to do with that as the fact that the community isn't going to go
out and make films about itself."
However, the actor believes there was another reason why British
Jews were rarely seen in film.
"So much of the European Jewish story is related to the Holocaust,"
he said. "And although many Jews fled to Britain, it didn't extend
here.
"Because they're not part of the Holocaust story, their story
hasn't really been told."
The Manchester festival will coincide with Holocaust memorial day
today (Friday).
The event will be marked by a special screening of another British
film, Hiding From Hitler - about children forced to hide in sewers,
cupboards and even caves for up to two years - attended by hundreds
of schoolchildren and Holocaust survivor Trude Levi.
However, David described the film, as a "controversial" one to show
around the memorial day.
"I grew up with Holocaust stories around me all the time," he said.
"And that's something the film also responds to. The Jewish
identity is so imposed upon by the Holocaust experience.
"David reacts against that self pitying identity. It's quite a
controversial film to show around Holocaust memorial day.
"The story of the Holocaust is much more complicated than the one
we're told. Although the community may be oppressed by outsiders,
it may be oppressed by insiders as well.
"However, I don't want for a minute to say the Holocaust is
something that should be forgotten. David's story is really a
personal struggle. It's about the fact he was ostracised by a
community for something his father may have done."
Song of Songs will be shown at The Cornerhouse on Thursday
(January 31) followed by a question and answer session with Joel
Chalfen. The festival runs at The Cornerhouse and AMC Great
Northern on Deansgate until February 5.
www.ukjewishfilmfestival.org.uk
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