Comme un juif en France / Being Jewish in France.
Yves Jeuland
Free Entrance/ Entrée libre
In French with English subtitles
Evènement organisé par l’Alliance Française, le Consulat Français et la South African Holocaust Foundation
Synopsis : Au début du siècle dernier, un vieux proverbe yiddish disait : " Heureux comme Dieu en France ". De l’affaire Dreyfus au malaise des années 2000, de la Grande guerre à Vichy, de l’arrivée des juifs du Yiddishland à l’exode des juifs d’Afrique du Nord, l’histoire des juifs en France n’a cessé de se vivre avec passion. Des femmes et des hommes, juifs français ou français juifs, racontent avec humour et émotion ces années de bonheur et de tourments. Une histoire sensible des juifs en France, rythmée et nourrie de documents rares, d’extraits de films et de chansons...Affaire Dreyfus : un capitaine insulté, humilié, bafoué, emprisonné et finalement honoré, de longues années après. Israélites et Français depuis 1791, les juifs retrouvent la confiance et l’espérance. D’autres juifs venus de l’Est combattent pendant la Grande Guerre, en criant Vive la France, en yiddish, et puis en français. Paris était leur nouvelle Jérusalem, la Seine leur Jourdain, la France une nouvelle Terre promise. La joie. Mais la France promise les trahit, dans la douleur et dans la honte. Dans la peur. Chemises brunes, étoiles jaunes, années noires, affiche rouge. L’air se raréfie.(Programme sous-titré par télétexte pour les sourds et les malentendants)
Synopsis : Yves Jeuland’s sweeping documentary explores the rich and complex history of Jews in France - the first country to grant Jews citizenship. The film investigates the complex relationship that French Jews have had with the French Republic and, in turns, the multiple ways in which French society has dealt with its Jewish population over the course of history. Beginning with Revolutionary cries of Vive la France in Yiddish, the film explores well-known events, such as the explosive Dreyfus Affair and Vichy’s murderous betrayal during WWII, as well as periods of history that have received less attention, such as the absorption into French society of Sephardic Jews from Arab countries in the 1960s. The film boldly continues into the 21st century, discussing charges of rising anti-Semitism and the country’s complex attitudes toward Israel. Being Jewish in France includes interviews with leading French politicians, intellectuals and artists, who speak extensively of their own experience as Jews and their family’s history in France. The film is beautifully presented and lushly illustrated with rare photographs, film clips and memorable music. At a time when France is often portrayed as one of the most anti-Semitic nations in Europe, Being Jewish in France represents a unique opportunity to better understand the history of Jews in that country.
Synopsis : Yves Jeuland’s sweeping documentary explores the rich and complex history of Jews in France - the first country to grant Jews citizenship. The film investigates the complex relationship that French Jews have had with the French Republic and, in turns, the multiple ways in which French society has dealt with its Jewish population over the course of history. Beginning with Revolutionary cries of Vive la France in Yiddish, the film explores well-known events, such as the explosive Dreyfus Affair and Vichy’s murderous betrayal during WWII, as well as periods of history that have received less attention, such as the absorption into French society of Sephardic Jews from Arab countries in the 1960s. The film boldly continues into the 21st century, discussing charges of rising anti-Semitism and the country’s complex attitudes toward Israel. Being Jewish in France includes interviews with leading French politicians, intellectuals and artists, who speak extensively of their own experience as Jews and their family’s history in France. The film is beautifully presented and lushly illustrated with rare photographs, film clips and memorable music. At a time when France is often portrayed as one of the most anti-Semitic nations in Europe, Being Jewish in France represents a unique opportunity to better understand the history of Jews in that country.
