L'Chayim, Comrade Stalin (2002)
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43% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
100% of users liked it
(6 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… 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
- Directed By
- Yale Strom
- Genres
- Documentary, Special Interest
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 31, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- Cinema Guild
Critic Reviews
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Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Energetic and informative, albeit more than a little haphazard.
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V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Talking heads and shots of the grim landscape can get awfully tiresome.
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Dave Kehr, New York Times
A fertile concept vanishes behind confused, overwrought style.
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J. Hoberman, Village Voice
Like Strom's earlier docs, L'Chayim Comrade Stalin is best appreciated as an exercise in creative ethnography.
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Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com
We are fortunate enough to see films like L'chayim Comrade Stalin, where the last brilliant sparks shine most astonishingly
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Cast
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Ron Perlman
as Narrator
