The Tribe

I downloaded a great short film called "The Tribe" from the iTunes store today (only $1.99!)  It only scratches the surface of the topic it begins with--how the quintessential Aryan female ideal was created by a Jewish woman--a cultural outsider--and then takes a turn into much larger issues of modern Jewish assimilation and identity. It's way too too short. I wanted more. How we choose to identify and express--or not express--our Jewish identities make this period in American history very unique for The Tribe.

"What can the most successful doll on the planet show us about being Jewish today? Narrated by Peter Coyote, the film mixes old school narration with a new school visual style. The Tribe weaves together archival footage, graphics, animation, Barbie dioramas, and slam poetry to take audiences on an electric ride through the complex history of both the Barbie doll and the Jewish people-from Biblical times to present day. By tracing Barbie's history, the film sheds light on what it means to be an American Jew in the 21st Century."

There's a spoken word/poetry slam/rant toward the end of the film. The poet recalls a conversation where someone remarked to her that she "doesn't don't look Jewish." The poet proceeds to both lash out at this subtle, conversational antisemitism, as well as her own cowardice/shame of not speaking out against it, questioning her own identity and cultural allegiances. Ultimately, it ends with a deep, emotional affirmation of her Jewish identity, one that is rooted in modern American expression. "I don't look Jewish? Then you don't look. Period." I'm paraphrasing, but it struck a chord with me.

Totally worth the $1.99, whether you're Jewish or not.

Short-subject, digitally accessible and digestible films (under 20 minutes) like The Tribe are part of the current media revolution that's taking place on the web right now. I expect to see much more of this kind of entertainment in the near future...