Events

Cinema Yiddishland: A Program of Three Short Films

This program of three short films presents Yiddish culture across diverse cinematic genres – ranging from surrealist essay to poetic documentary. Though distinct in style, the films are unified by a search for Jewish roots. This selection offers a view of Yiddish not as a closed chapter of history, but as a living medium for dialogue between generations and the cultures of the diaspora.
After the screening, a discussion with filmmaker Shoshana Simons (50 Voices Across the Shtetl Multiverse) will follow.

Fragments of Language
Eli, an idealistic young diaspora enthusiast, accidentally brings back to life her literary idol — the renowned Yiddish poet Peretz Markish. Peretz leads Eli on a surreal journey through a blooming forest, where she gradually discovers that the path to transforming Hebrew reality lies not in mourning the dead but in immersing herself in a vibrant, original life in Yiddish.
Hebrew Title:  רסיסי שפה (Resisei Safa)
Fiction, 14:29 min, 2025, Color
Written and directed by Ethel Niborski
Language: Hebrew, Yiddish, with English and Czech subtitles
Produced at: The Sam Spiegel Film & Television School, Jerusalem

The Niggun 
The rabbi of the ghetto has one request, that the family name not be forgotten. One night there is a knock at his door demanding that he issue a decree in regard to the Nazi demand for a list of 10 names to be executed. Should this list not be produced, they will take the first born of each family. The rabbi has no intention of ruling on such a horrific pronouncement, but when he realizes that his own son is at risk he must comply - and does so with assistance from his ancestors.
Hebrew Title: הניגון
Fiction/doc min, 2025, Color
Written and directed by: Raphael Pomeranz
Language: Yiddish, with English and Czech subtitles
Produced at: The Sam Spiegel Film & Television School, Jerusalem

50 Voices Across the Shtetl Multiverse - a short poetic documentary by Shoshana Simons
Drawing on over 50 hours of interviews with Jewish women across the diaspora on liberation and Jewish identity, 50 Voices Across the Shtetl Multiverse weaves intimate inner worlds with sounds and images from the former shtetl of Žagarė, Lithuania. United by shtetl heritage but with diverse nationalities, ideologies, and lived experiences today, the film brings together diverse, often dissonant voices to build dialogue, empathy and understanding across difference in a time when they are especially needed.
The film also serves as a prequel to Simons’ broader project, The Shtetl Multiverse.
Language: Yiddish, with English and Czech subtitles.

Online ticket purchase via GoOut or on the Ponrepo Cinema website.
Full admission – 120 CZK
Reduced admission – 100 CZK
Ponrepo Cinema members – 60 CZK

More information…