What is Jewish Film and how has it developed from the early years of Yiddish cinema to today? Join Dr Julia Wagner on this 5-week course to explore how films reflect Jewish cultural shifts, crises and successes. Lectures include clips and discussion, offering new perspectives on film history and Jewish identities. No previous knowledge is necessary to participate.
Week 1. Pioneers: Jewish filmmaking and representation in early silent film and classic Hollywood
Week 2. Holocaust films: What are the major movements, and ethical considerations, of representations of the Holocaust?
Week 3. Israeli cinema: Nation building and cultural identity
Week 4. Heroes and schlemiels: Jewish masculinity on screen
Week 5. ‘I’ll have what she’s having’: Trailblazing Jewish women in film
Dr Julia Wagner is a lecturer and writer specialising in Jewish-interest film and television. She holds a PhD in Film Studies and is a member of the London Film Critics’ Circle. Julia is author of the BFI Film Classics book, Hester Street (Bloomsbury 2025).
Image of Barbra Streisand: Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images (reference for the photo given by Julia)