In Theaters

Hava Nagila (The Movie)

Movie Details

Hava Nagila (The Movie)
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2013-03-01 NY, 2013-03-08 Limited, 2013-03-15 Limited
  • Running Time: 73 min.
  • Director: Roberta Grossman
  • Cast: Harry Belafonte, Lila Corwin Berman, Glen Campbell, Dani Dassa, Irving Fields, Dr. Gila Flam, Connie Francis, Ayala Goren-Kadman, Josh Kun, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
  • Producers: Roberta Grossman, Sophia Sartain, Marta Kauffman, Lisa Thomas
  • Writer: Sophie Sartain
  • Distributor: International Film Circuit
  • Official Site: Hava Nagila (The Movie) Official Site

Something like the doc equivalent of a Yiddish-humor bathroom book, vet TV-doc producer Roberta Grossman's tirelessly glib little movie tracks the cultural trajectory of the eponymous song, "from Ukraine to YouTube," and makes a big tzimmes along the way about "being Jewish," as if that required practice. The historical roots of the song in the nigunim of Eastern European shtetls are traced within the first 15 minutes; thereafter, Grossman relishes doodling on the American diaspora and the growth of affluent Jewish culture after World War II, when the ubiquitous party ditty got covered by everyone from Harry Belafonte (interviewed) to Bob Dylan (not), and grotesque bar mitzvah fetes were the defiant answer to memories of the Holocaust. Patronizing from toe to chin, the film opts continually for self-congratulation and cheesy aphorism, and could've-should've been comfortable slotted into a half hour of airtime on TJC (channel 528 on Time Warner Cable).

Michael Atkinson
VOICE Daily Deals

Now Showing

Find capsule reviews, showtimes & tickets for all films in town.

Powered By VOICE Places

Now Trending

Los Angeles Event Tickets

Box Office

  1. G.I. Joe: Retaliation, 40.5 mil, 51.0 mil
  2. The Croods, 26.7 mil, 88.9 mil
  3. Tyler Perry's Temptation, 21.6 mil, 21.6 mil
  4. Olympus Has Fallen, 14.1 mil, 54.9 mil
  5. Oz The Great and Powerful, 11.7 mil, 198.4 mil
  6. The Host, 10.6 mil, 10.6 mil
  7. The Call, 4.9 mil, 39.6 mil
  8. Admission, 3.2 mil, 11.7 mil
  9. Spring Breakers, 2.8 mil, 10.1 mil
  10. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, 1.3 mil, 20.6 mil
Movie Title, Weekly Earnings, Total Earnings

Movie Trailers

©2013 LA Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Los Angeles

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city

Join
Log In