Film Festival Reviews: Sundance 2 Features Sly Stone, Left-Leaning Israeli Comedian, and Teen …
Catholic mother and Jewish father, she jokes about growing up in a household where “the bread for Passover and Christmas was the same.” Her comedy tries to bridge divides, using humor to address the complexities and horrors of the conflict in Israel.
Coexistence, My Ass follows Eliassi as she performs on stages across Israel and Palestine, trying to make sense of her place in a divided society. She encounters a range of reactions, from raucous laughter to stunned silence. One of the film’s highlights is when she performs a set in front of an ultra-Orthodox Israeli audience, who are initially resistant but eventually warmed up to her humor.
Beyond the entertainment factor, Coexistence, My Ass delves into serious issues of identity, conflict, and reconciliation. Eliassi’s unique perspective as a mixed-background comedian gives her a voice in the Israeli conversation that is both critical and hopeful. She pushes boundaries with her humor while also challenging stereotypes and prejudices that exist on both sides of the conflict.
In a different vein, teenage journalists take the spotlight in the documentary, Storm Lake, directed by Jerry Risius and Beth Levison. The film follows the small-town newspaper, The Storm Lake Times, and its struggle to survive in the digital age. The paper is run by the Cullen family, who have been publishing the newspaper for generations.
The film chronicles the challenges faced by local journalism in the face of declining readership and social media dominance. The Cullen family is determined to keep the paper running, despite financial difficulties and the changing media landscape. The film captures the paper’s relentless pursuit of local stories, including investigations into corporate pollution and political corruption.
Storm Lake highlights the importance of community journalism and the vital role that small-town newspapers play in keeping local communities informed and engaged. It also emphasizes the difficulties faced by media outlets in today’s fast-paced, digital world. The film serves as a tribute to the resilience and dedication of journalists who work tirelessly to bring important news to their communities.
In conclusion, Sundance showcased a diverse range of documentaries that explore the power of performance, comedy, and journalism. From the under-recognized talent of Sly Stone to the comedic endeavors of Noam Shuster Eliassi and the struggles of local journalism in Storm Lake, these films shed light on important issues and stories. Each film offers a unique perspective on the world and challenges viewers to think critically about the societies in which we live. As audiences continue to engage with these thought-provoking documentaries, they are sure to spark conversations and inspire action.