Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title Christmas and Hanukkah on film Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet God Forbid, ABC Radio National Media type Radio Duration/Length/Size 54 minutes and 6 seconds Country/Territory Australia Date 13/12/20 Description
It’s certainly been a year like no other; with the holiday season just around the corner, perhaps it’s a chance to unwind and enjoy a favourite film (or more than just one!) On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel delve into the world of movies for Hanukkah and Christmas.
In this episode:
There are films we hate to love and others we love to hate. So where does a film like Love Actually fit in? This secular Christmas classic makes many top 10 lists, which tells us a lot about how we now observe this religious holiday.
The 2009 dark comedy A Serious Man is about a Jewish man whose life is falling apart, causing him to ask questions about a faith he barely understands. The film also incorporates a prologue completely spoken in Yiddish. Why is this prologue debated among film scholars, even to this day? And how has Judaism been represented in film over the past century?
Ever since its conception, Hollywood has released countless Christmas films. And in countless cases, it’s been Jewish producers, directors, actors and composers who have contributed to them. Why does that happen, while many Jewish festivals are unrepresented in pop culture?
Duration: 54min 6sec
Broadcast: Sun 13 Dec 2020, 6:05am
More Information
Listen to Walter Hickey, former chief culture writer at ‘FiveThirtyEight,’ speak to ABC’s Sammy J for Breakfast on Radio Melbourne: “Love Actually is actually a Christmas classic.”
Read Jason Di Rosso’s film review on the RN MovieTime webpage: “A Serious Man.”
Hear Hannah Reich’s conversation with RN’s Beverley Wang, Benjamin Law and Dr Lauren Rosewarne on Stop Everything!: “Trina Robbins on drawing Wonder Woman, Christmas horror, Hanukkah...”
Guests:
Father Peter Malone has been a film critic for the last five decades. He’s also a priest, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and the former President of the International Catholic Organisation for Cinema. He’s the author of some 16 books including Screen Jesus, Screen Priests and his latest book Dear Movies.
Professor Rebecca Margolis is the Director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University. She’s an expert in Yiddish cinema and how film and television transmit and sustain culture.
Presenter:
James Carleton
Producers:
Rohan Salmond/ Hong JiangProducer/Author Producers:Rohan Salmond/ Hong Jiang Presenter: James Carleton URL https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/godforbid/christmas-and-hanukkah-on-film/12971126 Persons Rebecca Margolis