Being Jewish in France makes exceptionally good use of vintage photographs and film clips in telling its story, and in fact won an award for best utilization of archival footage. It also boasts an especially varied and articulate group of talking heads.
Being Jewish in France (2009)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:5
Fresh:5
Rotten:0
Average Rating:7.1/10
Genre: Education/General Interest
US Box Office: $0
Synopsis:
The National Center for Jewish Film announces the North American
Theatrical Premiere of Being Jewish in France. The new documentary film will have a limited theatrical
run at The Film Society of...
The National Center for Jewish Film announces the North American
Theatrical Premiere of Being Jewish in France. The new documentary film will have a limited theatrical
run at The Film Society of Lincoln Center, screening daily at the Walter Reade Theater in New York City
from Wednesday, May 13 through Tuesday, May 19. The undisputed sensation of the 2009 New York
Jewish Film Festival, Being Jewish in France is back at Lincoln Center by popular demand.
Tickets are available via The Film Society of Lincoln Center: www.filmlinc.com
Yves Jeuland's masterful, sweeping new documentary explores the rich and complex history of Jews in
France, the first country to grant Jews citizenship. Beginning with Revolutionary cries of Vive la France
in Yiddish, the film explores the explosive Dreyfus Affair, the Vichy government's collaboration with the
Nazis, and the absorption of Sephardic Jews from Arab countries in the decades after WWII. Being
Jewish in France confidently continues into the 21st century, investigating charges of rising
antisemitism and the county's complex attitudes toward Israel.
A fascinating and provocative exploration of French-Jewish history, Being Jewish in France is given
vivid human dimension by interviews with more than a dozen leading French politicians, intellectuals
and artists including Robert Badinter, Théo Klein, Jean-Claude Grumberg, Marceline Loridan-Ivens, and
Jean Benguigui. Presenting a treasure trove of lush archival material, memorable music, and clips from
classic French films, Being Jewish in France is poised to become the definitive film on the topic.
Written and directed by Yves Jeuland, Being Jewish in France is narrated by Mathiue Almaric, star of
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. The film won the Jewish Experience Award at the Jerusalem
International Film Festival and the International Focal Award for Best Use of Archival Footage. --© Brandeis University
Director: Yves Jeuland
Director: Yves Jeuland
Reviews for Being Jewish in France
Yves Jeuland’s documentary Being Jewish in France is more than three hours long, and its emotional peak comes relatively early.
Even those who’ve boned up on Gallic history will have their eyes opened by Yves Jeuland’s comprehensive documentary regarding the Chosen People and this motherland blithe and brave.
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 89% 89% | Up in the Air | 14/1 |
| | The Tooth Fairy | 14/1 |
| | Bran Nue Dae | 14/1 |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Being Jewish in France at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!
Competitions

We're giving away copies of Judd Apatow's latest.



Top Critic


