L'Chayim, Comrade Stalin (2002)

43% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
0% of users liked it
(4 ratings)

In April 1928, twenty years before the founding of Israel, Joseph Stalin created the world's first Jewish homeland in the Soviet Union, in a barren stretch of land on Siberia's Far Eastern border. Although conceived as a solution to the 'Jewish problem,' The Jewish Autonomous Region (or J.A.R.),… More In April 1928, twenty years before the founding of Israel, Joseph Stalin created the world's first Jewish homeland in the Soviet Union, in a barren stretch of land on Siberia's Far Eastern border. Although conceived as a solution to the 'Jewish problem,' The Jewish Autonomous Region (or J.A.R.), became a center for Yiddish culture and tradition, and was the first place in the world where Yiddish culture thrived. The J.A.R. attracted Jewish settlers from across the Soviet Union and even as far away as the United States, Argentina, and Palestine. By 1948 the Jewish population had peaked at 45,000 (roughly one-quarter of the region's total demographics). The J.A.R. was home to Yiddish schools, theaters, publications and synagogues.Filmed on location in Birobidzhan, capital of the Jewish Autonomous Region, L'CHAYIM, COMRADE STALIN! features interviews with pioneer settlers and current residents, plus footage never before seen outside Russia (as well as the rare propaganda film Seekers of Happiness). This beautifully directed and startling work offers a fascinating glimpse into the most intriguing chapter in 20th century Jewish and Russian histories. -- © Cinema Guild

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Yale Strom
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 31, 2003 Wide
Studio: Cinema Guild

Critic Reviews

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Energetic and informative, albeit more than a little haphazard.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Talking heads and shots of the grim landscape can get awfully tiresome.
Dave Kehr, New York Times
A fertile concept vanishes behind confused, overwrought style.
J. Hoberman, Village Voice
Like Strom's earlier docs, L'Chayim Comrade Stalin is best appreciated as an exercise in creative ethnography.
Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com
We are fortunate enough to see films like L'chayim Comrade Stalin, where the last brilliant sparks shine most astonishingly
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
Replete with surprises, twists and thought-provoking anecdotes.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
The smarter film would have really put its beliefs through the wringer; Strom's movie contents itself with the surface and as such remains a wan, Xeroxed filmic hand-out of a potentially interesting historical sub-chapter.
Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly
The story of the JAR can be read as tragedy, but the exuberant Strom ... is by artistic temperament an optimist.
Elias Savada, Nitrate Online
Like the swamps on which the Siberian town Birobidzhan was built, Yale Strom's latest documentary L'Chayim, Comrade Stalin! is mired in mediocrity.
Donald J. Levit, Film Threat
Like the Jewish Autonomous Region itself, it is stillborn and empty.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
Strom, whether hamstrung by a lack of material or an inability to understand structure, delivers a slapdash work that is weak on a number of fronts.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Can't overcome its inherent blandness.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Enlightening documentary.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

Ron Perlman
as Narrator

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started