Harry and Daniel are joined by caricature artist Robin Schwartzman to revisit Don Bluth and Steven Spielberg’s animated classic An American Tail, the story of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family’s journey from Russia to America. Beneath its colorful animation and unforgettable songs lies a deeply Jewish immigration story, echoing themes of displacement, perseverance, and hope. The hosts explore the film’s historical context, its portrayal of Jewish immigrant life, and the lasting cultural impact of Fievel as a symbol of resilience and belonging.

• An American Tail on IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090633/
• An American Tail Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTQ0qTubGz8

Robin's Links

• Buy a signed copy of "Drawing Influence" - https://www.drawinginfluence.com/shop
• Find Robin Schwartzman on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/robinschwartzman/

Connect with Jews on Film online:

• Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

🧳 A tale of immigrants, Yiddish, and the struggle between Old World traditions and New World dreams.

Jason Diamond, author of Kaplan's Plot, join Harry and Daniel to revisit Joan Micklin Silver’s 1975 classic Hester Street, a groundbreaking portrayal of Jewish immigrants in turn-of-the-century New York.

Starring Carol Kane in an Oscar-nominated performance, the film captures the tensions between assimilation and tradition, Old World and New, as Jewish families navigate the challenges of American life. They explore the film’s authentic use of Yiddish, its role in American independent cinema, and the ways it reflects enduring questions of Jewish identity in America.

• Hester Street on IMDb
• Hester Street Trailer

Jason's Links

• Get Kaplan's Plot on Bookshop.org
• Jason Diamond on Instagram
• The Melt Substack

Connect with Jews on Film online:

• Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Harry and Daniel are joined by podcaster & writer Julie Klausner to tackle Adaptation, Spike Jonze’s wildly inventive collaboration with screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Starring Nicolas Cage in a dual role as Kaufman and his fictional twin brother, the film bends narrative form to explore writer’s block, creativity, and self-doubt. The hosts discuss Kaufman’s uniquely Jewish lens on storytelling, the blending of comedy and melancholy, and how the film fits into a broader tradition of Jewish metafiction in literature and cinema.

Adaptation on IMDb

Adaptation Movie Trailer

Julie's Links

• How Was Your Week Podcast?
• Double Threat Podcast w/ Julie & Tom Sharpling
• Julie Klausner on Instagram

Connect with Jews on Film online:

• Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry are once again joined by actor & comedian Gil Ozeri to discuss the 1987 classic, Spaceballs.

Join them as they uncover the ways Mel Brooks brings his Jewish voice and humor to this parody of Star Wars and the classic tropes it inspired. Listen in as they talk about the power of the Schwartz, the Druish princess Vespa, and the all powerful (and very Jewish) Yogurt!

Spaceballs on IMDb

Spaceballs Trailer

Gil’s Links

• Gil Ozeri on instagram
• Gil’s upcoming show at the Elysian Theater with Jon Daly & John Gemberling

Connect with Jews on Film online:

• Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry are back for Season Five of the podcast! In this premiere episode, they welcome back writer Michael Schulman to talk about Tim Burton's 1985 classic, "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" . They cover the excellent documentary film, "Paul Reubens as Himself" before heading out hitchhiking on the road to uncover what the film has to say about being an outsider, wandering in the desert, and trying their best not to say the secret word of the pod! AHHHH

Pee Wee's Big Adventure Movie Trailer

Pee Wee's Big Adventure in IMDb

Michael's Links

• Read Michael's article from The New York about Pee Wee Herman
• Find Michael Schulman on Instagram
• Get Michael Schulman's book, "Oscar Wars"

Connect with Jews on Film online:

• Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry drop in to let you know what to expect on this season of Jews on Film!

Cartoonist and editor Sammy Harkham, author of the recent and critically acclaimed graphic novel Blood of the Virgin, joins hosts Harry and Daniel to discuss the 1973 cult classic horror film, Messiah of Evil, co-directed by Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz. A 70s era stylized West Coast horror, the movie has acquired a cult following and is credited as one of the conceptual forbearers of the modern zombie film.

They discuss the movie's aesthetic successes in spite of, or perhaps because of, its extremely limited budget. They explore themes of the tension between community and identity, the banality of emotionless evil, and argue some Jewish readings of the film's conception of its Messianic ideas.

Purchase Sammy's Book

Follow Sammy Harkham on Instagram

Messiah of Evil Movie Trailer

Messiah of Evil on IMDb

Connect with Jews on Film online:

Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Writer and critic Matthew Specktor, author of the new novel The Golden Hour, joins hosts Harry and Daniel to discuss Joseph Losey’s haunting 1976 film Mr. Klein. Set in Nazi-occupied France during the lead-up to the infamous Vel d’Hiv roundup of Jews, the film follows Alain Delon as an art dealer who becomes ensnared in a chilling case of mistaken identity with another man who may be Jewish—and may not even exist.

Together, they first talk about real life cases of mistaken identities of their lives. Then the trio move on to explore the film’s Kafkaesque tone, its eerie resonance with contemporary concerns about identity and complicity, and how Mr. Klein confronts France’s legacy of antisemitism and historical erasure.

With the episode’s release coinciding with Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, we hope you’ll find added connection to the day and think of those lost.

Purchase Matthew's new book, The Golden Hour

Follow Matthew Specktor on Instagram

Mr Klein Movie Trailer

Mr Klein on IMDb

Connect with Jews on Film online:

Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

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Just in time for Passover, hosts Harry and Daniel are joined by Stephanie Butnick—creator of Golda, the Jewish culture guide—for a spirited conversation about The Prince of Egypt (1998), DreamWorks’ dazzling and dramatic take on the Exodus story.

The trio dives into the film’s stunning animation, unforgettable music, and deeply Jewish themes, while also paying tribute to the late, great Val Kilmer—who voiced both Moses and God (talk about range!).

Along the way, they unpack midrashic moments, sibling rivalry, and why this animated epic remains a Seder-season staple for so many Jewish households. Cue the plagues, and press play.

The Prince of Egypt on IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120794/

The Prince of Egypt Trailer - https://youtu.be/SsGcttNUi9c

Golda Guide - https://www.goldaguide.com/

Stephanie Butnick on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sbutnick/

Connect with Jews on Film online:

Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome director Sandi Dubowski to talk about his new documentary film, Sabbath Queen. They discuss what it was like to film Amichai Lau-Lavie and his life over the course of 21 years and how does someone know when a film is finished?

In addition they cover the depictions of the various expressions of Judaism onscreen and how Amichai sought to create his own path after wrestling with his families legacy. Finally, Sandi shares some thoughts around weaving more current events into the film post October 7th and how coming to the table with others to dialogue is more important than ever.

Check out Sabbath Queen at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival Here - https://seattlejff.org/events/sjff2025sabbathqueen/

Check out the Seattle Jewish Film Festival Here - https://seattlejff.org/

Find out more about Sabbath Queen - https://www.sabbathqueen.com/

Follow Sabbath Queen on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sabbathqueenfilm

Connect with Jews on Film online:

Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/products

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpod

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilm

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod