Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University
and Indiana University Cinema
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
life. In the present day, Nazerman runs a Harlem pawn shop and seems to have no joy in life, no anger, no emotion at
all. Through flashbacks, we learn of his painful past, as his home and family are destroyed by the Nazis, and watch as
he struggles with survivor's guilt in the present. The Pawnbroker was selected in 2008 for preservation by the Library of
Congress National Film Registry.
1969, but shelved the project when he couldn't get
distribution. The comedy got a second life in 1989
when it was screened at Cannes.
Estranged from his family, in failing health, and
unsuccessful, he is a lousy criminal and even worse at
going legit. With sneaky humor and a cast of characters
that rivals any recent "wacky family" film (Little Miss
Sunshine, The Kids Are Alright), it captures a man who
can't quite find his way in the world.
film examines the differences among Orthodox Jews
and conflicts between fathers and sons. Set in Brooklyn
in the 1940s, the story focuses on two sons (Robbie
Benson and Barry Miller) and two fathers (Maximilian
Schell and Rod Steiger). The boys develop a strong
friendship and find themselves influenced by each
other's father. When the fathers enter into a bitter,
passionate conflict over the issue of Zionism, their
devoted and dutiful sons must part ways--until one
makes the painful choice to oppose his father and
claim his own destiny.