Jewish Luck

This classic of Soviet cinema is a very funny adaptation of Sholom Aleichem’s story, “Mendel the Matchmaker.” It is also the film debut of the great Yiddish State Art Theatre actor, Solomon Mikhoels, who was considered the greatest living Yiddish actor of his time. Mikhoel’s character study of Mendel as a Chaplinesque figure – lovable, tragic and comic – has been called one of the finest performances in cinema history. Mendel is a luftmensch (one who buys and sells dreams) who, by chance, becomes a matchmaker and experiences one hilarious calamity after another. This film features a luminous dream sequence on the Odessa Steps that became the inspiration for the famous scene in Sergei Eisenstein’s POTEMKIN, which was shot on the same location. Both films were photographed by Eduard Tisse. Following the success of last year’s THE GOLEM, with music by Daniel Hoffman, we have invited back this Bay Area musician and composer. He performs JEWISH LUCK with the San Francisco Klezmer Experience (Ben Goldberg, clarinets; Daniel Hoffman, violin; Jeanette Lewicki, accordion; Kevin Mummey, drums; Stephen Saxon, trumpets, alto horn; Richard Saunders, bass; Charlie Seavey, trombone). With modern sensibilities, virtuoso musicianship and a great sense of humor, the SFKE celebrates the wild and passionate essence of klezmer, performed with daring, panache and abandon. The SFKE was created by violinist Daniel Hoffman for the American Conservatory Theater's 1996 production of the hit klezmer musical, "Shlemiel The First," and boasts an all-star roster of the Bay Area's nationally recognized and innovative klezmer musicians.