Odessa…Odessa! (dir Michale Bogadim, 2005, French/Israeli co-production)

At a time when Ukraine is a central topic of concern for all Europeans, it is worth reminding ourselves of the major importance the city has played in the history of Jewish culture – in 1897, for instance, Jews comprised some 37% of this multi-ethnic city’s population.

This fascinating 2005 documentary is a snap shot of Odessa-related Jewish experience from 2 decades ago. And although filmed in the recent past, it makes clear how the 20th century informed the lives of its participants, as the film tracks their individual stories from Odessa to Israel to New York.

The film’s director, Michale Boganim, who was born in Haifa, was educated in France, Belgium and the UK. She has worked as a director and producer of several documentary and feature films.