
Artur Livshyts introducing film club at the Minsk Jewish Heritage Centre
Since September, the Jewish Heritage Centre in Minsk, a wing of the Daumana Street Synagogue that was renovated and brought to life by The Together Plan in 2023, has reopened its doors to host a film club that has quickly become the most popular event format at the Centre. Twice a month, members of the Jewish community and others interested in Jewish-themed films gather to explore Belarusian cinema through the lens of Jewish history and culture. Led by Dr. Lyudmila Saenkova-Melnitskaya, a film critic and PhD in philological sciences, attendees are treated to screenings paired with fascinating insights about Jewish influences on Belarusian film. The screenings are attended by 35 to 45 people, ranging in age from 18 to over 50, creating a multigenerational community united by a love of film and cultural history.
- Artur Livshyts introducing film club at the Minsk Jewish Heritage Centre
This year, as Belarusian cinema celebrates its 100th anniversary, the film club is focusing on films and directors of Jewish origin, as well as movies with Jewish themes that have left an indelible mark on the country’s cinematic history. Belarusian cinema officially began in 1924 with the founding of “Belgoskino,” later renamed “Belarusfilm” in 1946. The anniversary provides a fitting occasion to highlight the often-overlooked Jewish contributions to Belarus’s film legacy.
The series began with Seekers of Happiness, a 1936 film that holds significant historical value. The drama explores the lives of Jewish families who moved to the autonomous Jewish National Region of Birobidzhan in the Soviet Union. The film was intended to persuade Jews to relocate to Birobidzhan, where they would join collective farms, much like the family at the heart of the story. This film offers a rare glimpse into the Soviet experiment of Jewish autonomy, a unique chapter in Jewish history.
Another key film featured was Hamlet of Shchigrovsky Uezd, by prominent Belarusian director Valery Rubinchik. Rubinchik, whose father David Rubinchik worked in the vibrant cultural world of Minsk, became one of the most important figures in Belarusian cinema. Valery’s connection to Jewish culture and his upbringing surrounded by art helped shape his cinematic vision, which the film club members explored in depth.
The Holocaust and World War II were also poignant themes explored in the screenings. East Corridor, a 1966 film directed by Valentin Vinogradov, delves into the brutality of the Holocaust and the persecution of Jews during the war. The film, known for its powerful and symbolic portrayal of the Belarusian underground and ghetto life, was initially shelved due to its “naturalism” and the Soviet authorities’ discomfort with its candid representation of war. Despite this censorship, East Corridor remains a significant piece of Belarusian and Jewish film history, offering a thought-provoking take on war’s devastating impact on humanity.
As the autumn season continues, the Jewish Heritage Centre’s film club will host additional screenings dedicated to exploring the influence of Jewish filmmakers, actors, and themes on Belarusian cinema. These gatherings offer a unique opportunity to reflect on the contributions of Jewish talent and stories to the nation’s cinematic past, while bringing together a community that shares a passion for history, culture, and film.
For those attending, the film club is more than just a chance to watch movies—it is an opportunity to reconnect with Jewish heritage, engage in thoughtful discussions, discover a hidden aspect of Belarusian history and of course come together as a community!
It is through donations and support that we were able to bring the Jewish Heritage Centre to life in 2023. Through our aid project we were able to send donated chairs and resources for use at the centre as well as the projector that is a vital piece of kit for the film club and fundraising enabled the screen to be purchased and fitted at the heritage centre. If you would like to support our work so that we can continue to bring communities together, empower individuals and put Jewish Belarus back on the world map please consider making a donation to our 2024 high holy day appeal or becoming a regular donor. Your support is greatly appreciated and is making a real and powerful difference. We can’t do this alone. Click here to make a donation.