Rethinking Jewishness in Weimar Cinema

The Weimar Republic's film industry was a significant site of German-Jewish experience, providing a sphere for Jewish "outsiders" to shape mainstream culture. This volume explores different conceptions of Jewishness in German cinema, offering a wide-ranging exploration of an often overlooked aspect of German film history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 388 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

The Weimar Republic witnessed a flourishing film industry that played a pivotal role in shaping German-Jewish experience and providing a platform for Jewish "outsiders" to contribute to mainstream culture. This volume presents a collection of chapters that employ innovative historical, theoretical, and methodological approaches to delve into the significant involvement of German Jews in Weimar cinema. By examining various perspectives on Jewishness, including religion, ethnicity, social role, cultural code, and text, these studies offer a comprehensive exploration of a frequently overlooked aspect of German film history. The chapters explore the diverse roles played by German Jews in the film industry, from filmmakers and actors to producers and distributors, and highlight their contributions to the development of German cinema. They also examine the ways in which Jewish identity was represented and negotiated in Weimar cinema, and the impact of these representations on German society. Through a range of case studies and critical analyses, the chapters shed light on the complex and multifaceted relationship between German Jews and Weimar cinema, and contribute to our understanding of the broader cultural and social dynamics of the period.

ISBN-13: 9781800739482