Film and Whisky

This winter Jewish Culture in Copenhagen launches a series of culture nights in the Jewish House. On Thursday January 12 Professor Jan Schwarz gives a crash course in Yiddish literature. The documentary about Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness will follow the lecture. The film has not been presented in Danish cinemas.

Yiddish scholar Jan Schwarz studied Scandinavian philology and literature at Copenhagen University. His passion for Isaac Bashevis Singer led him to Yiddish because he wished to study Singer in the original. Jan Schwarz is going to introduce us to the oeuvres of the great Yiddish writers, also to Sholem Aleichem.

The documentary Sholem Aleichem: Laughting in the Darkness brings us into Sholem Aleichem’s Jewish universe. Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916) wrote in Yiddish and captured the East-European Jewish shtetl universe in the 19th century. As a writer he contributed in the creation of a modern Jewish identity in that time of change. With his biting humour was a forerunner to both Woody Allen and Philip Roth. The film tells us about the rebellious genius of an author who created unique Yiddish literature during the time of Jewish upheaval. Many people connect Sholem Aleichem to the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, because his stories about the milkman Tevye were an inspiration for the musical. With his work Sholem Aleichem wanted to find out how is it possible to be a Jew in a complex modern world.

Prizewinning director Joseph Dorman wrote, produced and instructed this documentary and world famous John Zorn, founder of Tzadik Records, composed the soundtrack.

FILM, WHISKY AND CHOCOLATE
In these dark winter months Jewish Culture in Copenhagen shows funny, crazy and serious films every month, films that are mindboggling, jolly and give food for thought. After the film we offer whisky, freshly made coffee and delicious chocolate. Price is Dkr. 50 for the whole evening – an offer you can’t find anywhere in the town. Bring your friend or friends with you.

Laughing in the Darkness http://sholemaleichemthemovie.com

Time: January 12 5:30 pm.
Place: The Jewish House, Krystalgade 12, 1172 København K
Price: Dkr. 50 No registration in advance.