Le bonheur juif

This film was called by one expert as "the greatest Jewish film ever

made." I am not sure what does this "Jewish film" mean. All films made by the Jews? Films by Mauritz Stiller, Woody Allen, films made in Israel, like "Avanti Popolo"? If it does, it is hard to agree with that opinion. But if the term "Jewish film" concerns movies that presents old Jewish traditions, this little masterpiece is propably the most entertaining and best-made. And far better than "Fiddler on the Roof", the most successful film of this sort.

Film was made in Soviet Union during the time when government policy still defenced different cultures, and I guess it could not have been made anywhere else in Europe: the atmosphere was too racist. The story has a cunning Jew trying to make a living. In a train he decides to become a match-maker. In a hilarious dream sequence he sees himself "saving the America" (that has too much grooms and no brides) by loading a big steamboat with young Russian brides. The comedy is quite funny. The last, slightly sentimental scene where the Jew walks away from the village alone, reminds me of similar scenes by Charles Chaplin and Jacques Tati.

For some idiotic reason this film was actually BANNED in Finland in the 20's! Can't understand why, because it has no violence, no sex and no communistic ideas.