New Yiddish movie 'Shttl' is a cinematic triumph that rebuilds a lost Jewish world: review

New Yiddish Movie "Shttl" Rebuilds a Lost Jewish World

Ady Walter stands out as one of the boldest Jewish directors of recent years with his film “Shttl.” Completed in 2021 in Ukraine, the film is a daring artistic achievement, shot entirely in black and white, in Yiddish, and presented as a seemingly continuous take. The production took place amid COVID-19 restrictions and under the looming threat of a Russian invasion.

Unique Production and Setting

To create an authentic atmosphere, Walter constructed a full-scale replica of a shtetl, including houses, a synagogue, and winding dirt roads. The entire film was designed to appear as one uninterrupted shot, emphasizing the immersive experience. The lead role was given to Moshe Lobel, an actor making his feature film lead debut.

Director’s Vision

“The story of the film was a Jewish ‘Apocalypse Now.’ This was a crazy adventure in wild conditions. We even shot in swamps with mosquitoes in Ukraine. With Moshe, I never met him before he came, but we had conversations over the phone where I could trust he was right for it.” — Ady Walter

Commitment to Authenticity

Walter insisted on using Yiddish throughout the film, despite knowing it might limit commercial appeal. He rejected any compromise on language to preserve authenticity.

“I don’t come from a Yiddish-speaking family, but not doing it in Yiddish wasn’t an option. I wanted to make a film where people spoke Yiddish because it was their language at the time.” — Ady Walter
Summary

“Shttl” is a masterful and authentic portrayal of a vanished Jewish world, crafted with remarkable dedication to language, setting, and cinematic form.

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Unpacked Unpacked — 2025-10-31

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