New Yiddish Movie "Shttl" Is a Cinematic Triumph Rebuilding a Lost Jewish World
Ady Walter stands out as one of the most daring Jewish directors of recent times. His film Shttl represents an impressive artistic achievement by any standard.
Filmed in 2021 in Ukraine during the peak of COVID-19 restrictions and under the looming threat of Russian invasion, the movie was shot entirely in Yiddish, in black and white, and designed to appear as one continuous take. This single-shot illusion was realized by constructing a life-sized replica of a shtetl, including homes, a synagogue, and winding dirt roads.
Casting and Production Challenges
Walter chose Moshe Lobel, a newcomer with no previous leading film roles, as the film’s protagonist. Walter described the story as a Jewish “Apocalypse Now,” reflecting the intense and adventurous conditions of shooting. He shared:
“This was a crazy adventure in wild conditions. We even shot in swamps with mosquitoes in Ukraine. With Moshe, I never met him before he came, but we had conversations over the phone where I could trust he was right for it.”
Commitment to Authenticity
Walter was adamant that Shttl be performed exclusively in Yiddish, despite knowing this choice could limit the film’s commercial reach. He explained:
“I don’t come from a Yiddish-speaking family. But not doing it in Yiddish wasn’t an option. I wanted to make a film where people spoke Yiddish because it was their language at the time.”
Production Highlights
- Filmed in a single continuous take.
- Shot in black and white to evoke historical authenticity.
- Constructed a full-scale shtetl replica.
- Filmed amid COVID-19 restrictions and geopolitical tensions.
Shttl is a bold recreation of a vanished world, a tribute to Jewish heritage captured with remarkable vision and dedication.
Author’s summary: Shttl masterfully revives a lost Yiddish-speaking Jewish world through an authentic, audacious single-take film, showcasing extraordinary creativity and cultural fidelity.