V poiskakh shchastia . In Search of Happiness
Duration: 00:53:00 This documentary comes out of a confrontation between past dreams and present-day realities for Soviet Jews inhabiting a Jewish Republic that Stalin set up in 1934, with the capital at Birobidzhan, Siberia. It brings to life scenes of the first settlers' original enthusiasm a...
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| Institution: | Open Society Archives at Central European University |
| Language: | Russian |
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St. Petersburg Documentary Film Studio
2005
Russia |
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10891/osa:a5dd8781-61b9-480e-8330-48041b65198a |
| Summary: | Duration: 00:53:00
This documentary comes out of a confrontation between past dreams and present-day realities for Soviet Jews inhabiting a Jewish Republic that Stalin set up in 1934, with the capital at Birobidzhan, Siberia. It brings to life scenes of the first settlers' original enthusiasm and hard work, relating how the community grew into an autonomous social and cultural unit, though it was shaped by traditional ideas as well. The settler's presence is felt even today in the largely depopulated enclave - most of their decendants emigrated to Israel. Old resident and survivor Boris Rak is an erudite and discerning guide to the singular world of one of the first Jewish kolkhozes. His kids live in Israel, yet despite his advanced age, he, his wife and his remaining fellow citizens preserve the well-established rhythm of the local community. Drawing on his own experiences, he comments on the past and present of the country in which he lives, as well as on the pressing problem of anti-Semitism. |
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| Published: | 2005 |