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Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness

Play trailer Poster for Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness 2011 1h 33m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Filmmaker Joseph Dorman presents the life, work and legacy of the Yiddish writer who used the vernacular of the common man.

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Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness

Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness

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Critics Consensus

Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness serves as an effective primer on its subject, as well as an evocative portrait of the era in which he lived.

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Critics Reviews

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Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times 09/23/2020
The result is more than an examination of the contradictory life of the celebrated humorist and storyteller, it's a compelling cinematic look at the complex world of Eastern European Jews. Go to Full Review Rick Groen Globe and Mail 02/24/2012
3/4
Not often does a film double as a literary critic, but this is the Northrop Frye of docs. Essentially, it revises and sharpens the blunted reputation of a great writer. Go to Full Review Anita Li Toronto Star 02/23/2012
2.5/4
Audiences interested in Jewish literature will find Laughing in the Darkness compelling for its deep analysis of Aleichem's works, featuring a selection of experts and the writer's granddaughter, Bel Kaufman. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies May 13
4.5/5
Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness not only introduces Sholem Aleichem to a new generation but reminds audiences why he is one of the greatest Jewish writers of all time. Go to Full Review Susan G. Cole NOW Toronto 09/23/2020
4/5
An important doc for anyone who cares about literature. Go to Full Review Chris Knight National Post 09/23/2020
3/5
Dorman's well-researched documentary is aided by numerous archival photographs, both of 19th-century Jewish life and of Sholem Aleichem himself. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness

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Cast & Crew

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Joseph Dorman

Director

Alan Rosenberg

Narrator

Rachel Dratch

Shayne Sheyndl

Joseph Dorman

Writer

Joseph Dorman

Producer

Ed Marritz

Cinematographer

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Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness

Sholem Al Eichem as seen in "Sholem Al Eichem: Laughing in the Darkness." Sholem Al Eichem as seen in "Sholem Al Eichem: Laughing in the Darkness." Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness (2011) Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness (2011) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Joseph Dorman presents the life, work and legacy of the Yiddish writer who used the vernacular of the common man.
Director
Joseph Dorman
Producer
Joseph Dorman
Screenwriter
Joseph Dorman
Distributor
International Film Circuit [us]
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 8, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$906.7K
Runtime
1h 33m
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