Kedma

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C     Extras: C     Film: B

 

 

Amos Gitai continues his examination of world Jewry in Kedma (2002), the latest of his serious, authentic, detailed looks at Judaism and how it clashes with the often ugly realities of the secular world.  Having already been very successful at such in impressive films like Kadosh, Kippur, and Alila, Gitai continues to weave one of the most important portraits of Judaism the world cinema has ever seen.

 

In this Kino release, Holocaust survivors arrive at Palestine as the rise of Israel would be imminent, but not before having to deal with more war and even problems with British forces as they search for the Jewish guerilla forces known as the Palmach.  In this period before, they have to deal with massive displacement, suffering, questioning of their future, and the very fabric of Judaism itself.  Gitai and co-writer Marie-Jose Sanselme have great bravery in spelling out in detail the perils and emptiness millions of innocent people faced just because of their faith, a piece of history that dreadfully keeps repeating itself over and over again with many others to this day.  The film’s greatest achievement is to capture the sense of being a nomad, even though others may be around in the same predicament.  The group does not negate the loss.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 letterboxed image is not bad, though there is some softness throughout despite the anamorphic mode.  That said, Yorgos Arvanitis’ cinematography is solid, with an authentic feel for the period, even though the majority of the film happens in desolate areas.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is a bit smaller-sounding than usual, but is still clear enough, even if you do not have to read the subtitles.  The few extras include a brief-but-valuable Kedma history, a set of stills,  and a biography of Gitai that includes three trailers of his other films (also from Kino) in the filmography.

 

Another great characteristic of all Gitai’s films on Judaism is that you do not have to be Jewish or understand the religion to understand the films, another one of his great achievements.  None of the 100 minutes are ever wasted, and the fact that he could get the story top work at this short a length is impressive.  Kedma is an underseen gem that this DVD will soon correct.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo