| Der Dibuk (The Dybbuk), 1937, Poland Cast: Avrom Marevsky, Isaac Samberg, Lili Liliana, Leon Liebgold, Moyshe Lipman, Dina Halpern, Max Bozyk, Shmuel Landau, David Lederman, S. Branecki, Abraham Kurc, M. Messinger, G. Lamberger Considered by some to be the greatest of Yiddish films, it was certainly the boldest undertaking, requiring special sets and unusual lighting. In Der Dibuk, as in mysticism and love, the past has a magnetic pull on the present, and the dead are as alluring as the living. Khonnon (Leon Liebgold) and Leah (Lili Liliana), betrothed before birth, meet, knowing nothing of the vows. Khonnon becomes obsessed with Leah and begins to dabble in the kabbala. Leah is betrothed to a wealthy man, and Khonnon offers her his body, soul and intelligence--via Satan--and dies. Leah's father invites the spirit of her dead mother to the wedding; Leah invites Khonnon from the grave. The film is filled with haunting, unforgettable scenes that verge on the surreal, set to choreography by Judith Berg. Jewish mysticism links with expressionism--as in Nosferatu or Vampyr, man is an insubstantial presence in the cinematic ether. S. Ansky's play was written during the turbulent years of 1912-1917; Waszynski's 1937 film was made during another period of prewar unease. It was shot on location in rural Poland, and captures a rich folk heritage. Noted Warsaw historian Meyer Balaban oversaw the accuracy of the presentation. |