Children Must Laugh Mir Kumen On Poland, 1935, 63 minutes, B&W, English and Yiddish with English subtitles Directed by Aleksander Ford for the Jewish Labor Bund PRESERVED by The National Center for Jewish Film Buy Now Public Exhibition Formats: 16mm, Beta

Synopsis

Directed by Lodz native Aleksander Ford and financed by the Jewish Labor movement in Poland, Children Must Laugh is one of the few surviving documentaries about Jewish life in Poland before WWII. This institutional film was produced to raise funds for the Vladimir Medem Sanitarium which, noted for its modern and spacious facilities, stood as the embodiment of health and enlightenment, in striking contrast to the grim images of urban Polish-Jewish poverty.

The sanitarium's theme song, "Mir Kumen On (Here We Come)," punctuates the film with a sense of hope and accomplishment. The Bund's optimistic internationalism, exemplified by the children's endearing performances, permeates the film, creating powerful yet unintended ironies for post-Holocaust audiences.

Selected Screenings

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, UK (2008)
Center for Contemporary Arts, UK (2008)
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC (2007)
Ashkenaz Festival, Toronto (1999)
Pacific Film Archive (1995)

Credits

Director Aleksander Ford
Writers Jacob Pat & Wanda Wasilewska

Cast
A.L. Alexander (English Narration)
David Dubinsky (Introductory Speaker)
B. Charney Vladeck (Introductory Speaker)

Purchase the Film

Home Use DVD: $29.95 Does not include Classroom or Library Use Rights or Public Performance Rights. More Information

Classroom/Library Use DVD: $200 Does not include Public Performance Rights. More Information

Digital Site Licensing (DSL) available - Contact us

Step down pricing for K-12 & public libraries may be available - Contact us

Arrange a screening - Contact us

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