The Komediant (2002)

88% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(49 ratings)

Wistful and melancholy recollections of Yiddish theatre are conveyed in this documentary, which centers on the story of the Burstein family. The family honed their talents in New York and eventually became stars of the genre as they traveled around the world, acting, singing, dancing and telling… More Wistful and melancholy recollections of Yiddish theatre are conveyed in this documentary, which centers on the story of the Burstein family. The family honed their talents in New York and eventually became stars of the genre as they traveled around the world, acting, singing, dancing and telling jokes in Yiddish. The film also chronicles the history of Yiddish theatre, from its beginnings to its eventual decline brought on by the Holocaust.

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Arnon Goldfinger
Written By: Oshra Schwartz
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International

In Theaters: Apr 27, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 2004
Studio: New Yorker Films

Critic Reviews

Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Able to provide insight into a fascinating part of theater history.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
The film sparkles with the the wisdom and humor of its subjects.
Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
This rich, bittersweet Israeli documentary, about the life of song-and-dance-man Pasach'ke Burstein and his family, transcends ethnic lines.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
It's their familial ups and downs that shift this small, stubbornly poignant documentary ... from the realm of special-interest audiences to the more universal theater of family psychodynamics.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
What might have been a predictably heartwarming tale is suffused with complexity.
Jan Stuart, Newsday
As charming, humorous and heimisch as its nomadic subjects.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Gives the viewer a pleasant taste for the Yiddish theater.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Less-than-compelling documentary of a Yiddish theater clan.
Niki Patton, Martha's Vineyard Times (Massachusetts)
... a light, yet engrossing piece. Lux, now in her eighties, does a great combination act as narrator, Jewish grandmother and subject - taking us through a film that is part biography, part entertainment and part history.
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
The Komediant is a tale worth catching.
Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Magazine
A sharp and quick documentary that is funny and pithy, while illuminating an era of theatrical comedy that, while past, really isn't.
Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly
Slight but enjoyable documentary.
David Ehrenstein, New Times
While centered on the life experiences of a particular theatrical family, this marvelous documentary touches -- ever so gracefully -- on the entire history of the Yiddish theater, both in America and Israel.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A dream of a documentary.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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