In a Polish shtetl, two young men promise to marry their unborn children to each other, ignoring the warning of a mysterious wanderer. Shortly afterward, one of the men dies, and the wife of the other dies in childbirth. The children grow up in separate towns, unaware of the arranged betrothal, but fate brings them together.
The film of a Polish-Jewish director Michał Waszyński is based on the 1914 play The Dybbuk by S. An-sky and is considered a pinnacle of Yiddish cinema and German Expressionism. Produced in 1937, tells the story of a young bride possessed by a dybbuk (a malicious spirit) and depicts the traditional folklore and culture of Polish Jews before World War II.
More information about the film (in English)
The event is part of the Jewish Film Festival 2024, and will take place on 2 January at the Jerusalem Cinematheque.
The special screening shall be accompanied by a live music soundtrack by Dudi Bar-David.
Dudi Bar-David is a singer-songwriter, lyricist, and music producer. The invitation from the Polish Institute to engage with and work on a classic such as The Dybbuk came to him in the midst of writing a new studio album, where he explores for the first time the story of his parents’ immigration to Israel. In the process, he reflects on the role of Jewishness, Israeli identity, and Middle Eastern culture in his life.
Introduction: Sigalit Landau, Bride of Salt
Sigalit Landau is an Israeli artist (b. 1969), who studied at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and gained public recognition shortly after completing her studies. Over the years, Landau has created sculptures, installations, and video art. She has represented Israel at the Venice Biennale and participated in the prestigious international exhibition Documenta in Kassel.