Film
Being Jewish in France
(COMME UN JUIF EN FRANCE)
2007, Yves Jeuland, France, 185 min.
Narrated by Mathieu Amalric in French with English subtitles.
"Essential viewing...Jeuland has concocted something close to the final word on the subject."
—David Fear, Time Out New York
July 24 - July 30
Friday July 24, Tuesday, July 28 & Thursday July 30 at 4:30 pm
Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26 at 2:45 pm
Monday, July 27 & Wednesday July 29 at 2:15 pm and 6:00 pm
This movie is being shown at the Gene Siskel Film Center
164 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
The two parts will be shown together as a single attraction. There will be a 15-minute intermission.
This epic two-part documentary traces the unique relationship and history between France and its Jewish citizens. France was the first European nation to grant Jews full citizenship, elect a Jewish Socialist prime minister in 1936, and support Israel during the Six-Day War. But, France also has an ignoble history of anti-Semitism stretching from the Dreyfus Affair through the Vichy period to the synagogue bombings of recent years.
Part I explores the Dreyfus Affair and the enduring shame of Vichy’s collaboration with the Nazis
while Part II investigates more complex issues facing postwar French Jewry, including French
denials of collaboration, the massive influx of Sephardic Jews from Africa in the 1950s, the rise of Jewish identity politics, and changing public attitudes toward Israel.
Award-winning director Yves Jeuland is one of France's leading documentarians. His films include a history of Parisian gay life (Bleu Blanc Rose) and French Communism (Camardes).
Tickets are $9 general admission, $7 students, $5 Film Center members.
Spertus members pay 2-for-1 admission to any Monday or Tuesday screening of this film.
For more information, call 312.846.2600 (general information) or 312.846.2800 (hotline).
Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies is a promotional partner for this program.
