Simcha
MOV digital file Colour Sound 2000 11:36

Summary: Simcha (meaning Happiness) explores the closed world of Hasidic women through the life stories of a powerful mother/daughter team who live in the Jewish ultra-orthodox community of North London.
Images of "women's work" - Ita and Hindi in the workplace and at home preparing the shabbos meal - depict the crucial role of the woman in Hasidic religious life and nurturing Jewish identity. A passionate and disturbingly-frank commentary.
Title number: 22078
LSA ID: LSA/29657
Description: 00:00 – 01:30 Black and white photographs of Jewish people after the second world war. Shot of Ita Symons, sitting on a desk, then a close up on her face as she recalls her memory of that time. Camera zooms in on her as a child in a photo with a group of other children.
01:30 – 02:32 Ita and her daughter Hindi Pesach walk down a road with three children towards the camera. Shot of Ita sat writing at her desk, then shots of older people sat at a table painting. Close up on Hindi who explains about the home and how her mother founded it. Footage around the home including a woman playing the piano and more people painting.
02:32 – 03:23 A shot of the outside of the building (Fradel Lodge) of a visitor leaving, then of children playing. Back to the close up of Hindi talking about the home and the Jewish community in the area, interspersed with shots of Jewish children and families from the area.
03:23 – 04:36 Shot through the window of Hindi at the sink peeling potatoes. Close up on the Ita’s face as she describes the ‘aim’ of the modern orthodox Jewish woman. Shot of Hindi clearing up in the kitchen, then Ita in the kitchen. Shots of a bookcase and other Hebrew books as Hindi explains the roles of men and women according to the Bible. Hindi prepares food in the kitchen.
04:36 – 05:30 A woman walks through the front gate of her house and down the road carrying a baby. Ita talking to a man in her office. The Hindi continues preparing food as explains the differences between men and women in Jewish culture.
05:30 - 07:31 Footage of Ita and other people working in an office. Ita talks abouts getting married and having children. An orthodox Jewish couple walk down the street with a pram. More shots around the office and of Ita as she talks about her work. Ita prepares food for Shabbat with her grandchildren. Hindi checks the beans that will be used to make the cholent and explains the meal. The children prepare the table for the meal.
07:31 – 08:38 The family continues preparing the food and setting the table. Ita puts the bread in the oven and the children place the candle sticks in the holder. Hindi explains that simcha means happiness, and that Hasidic Jews believe in serving God through happiness. Hindi washes her hands and prays.
08:38 – 10:35 Shots inside a synagogue, including artwork on the walls. The family look at a family tree on the wall as Ita tells the children about their family history. Close up on Ita talking about Jewish assimilation and persecution. Orthodox Jewish men crossing the street carrying shopping. Close up on Ita talking about Jewish women.
10:35 – 11:36 Shots of children dancing, singing and clapping as visitors in the home watch and sing/clap along. Hindi claps along with a child sitting on her lap. Credits.
rich formatting (HTML fragment)
Credits: Julia Dover (Director); Shu-hao Chou (Filmmaker); Leonardo Buzelli (Camera operator); Deborah Burrett (Producer)
Keywords: religion; Jewish
Locations: North London. Stoke Newington
Related
Comments