Menashe — Trailer

added: Wed, Apr 19th '17

Documentary filmmaker/cinematographer Joshua Z. Weinstein (who served as the main cameraman on "Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me") makes his feature film debut with "Menashe," a touching father-son drama that offers a rare peek into the ultra-conservative Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn, New York.

Shot almost entirely in Yiddish, the movie is somewhat inspired by the life of Hasidic youtube comedian Menashe Lustig, who stars as a fictional version of himself. In the film, Menashe is a good-natured thirtysomething Jewish widower who is trying desperately to convince his ultra-strict rabbi that his young son should be placed under his custody -- despite the fact that, in his community, it's strictly forbidden for a Hasidic child to be raised by a single father.

Receiving mostly positive reviews when it premiered at Sundance this year, "Menashe" will be coming to select theaters on July 28th. Watch the trailer, above.

synopsis:
Deep in the heart of New York’s ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jewish community, Menashe--a kind, hapless grocery store clerk--struggles to make ends meet and responsibly parent his young son, Rieven, following his wife Leah's death. Tradition prohibits Menashe from raising his son alone, so Rieven's strict uncle adopts him, leaving Menashe heartbroken. Meanwhile, though Menashe seems to bungle every challenge in his path, his rabbi grants him one special week with Rieven before Leah’s memorial. It’s his chance to prove himself a suitable man of faith and fatherhood, and restore respect among his doubters.

directed by Joshua Z. Weinstein

starring Menashe Lustig

release date July 28, 2017 (in theaters)