Hanukkah film

A Hanukkah film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on the celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Films in this style traditionally incorporate the religious aspects of Hanukkah, such as lighting the menorah and the story of the Macabees, as well as the cultural aspects of Hanukkah, such as spinning dreidels, or eating traditional foods such as latkes, sufganiyot, or gelt. Films in this genre are typically similar to comedy and romantic comedy films in content, however some are similar in style to action, drama, and animated films, among other genres. Hanukkah films are more commonly produced in the United States, however, they are also produced in other countries such as Israel.

Hanukkah films have been compared to Christmas films, as the two holidays are celebrated during a similar time of year, and sometimes have similar storylines. The relative dearth of Hanukkah films, related to the thousands of Christmas films that have been produced, has been criticized, especially by those in the Jewish community, some of whom have asked for more films in this genre to be produced.

History

1986–2002

Hanukkah has historically been more commonly portrayed in television, than in film, due to the relative lower financial risk and cost of production as compared to a feature film.[1] One of the first films in this genre, was the 1986 American animated musical comedy-drama adventure film, ”An American Tail", which was directed by Don Bluth and went on to become the highest-grossing non-Disney animated film of its time. Though the film is not exclusively about Hanukkah, the holiday features prominently in its plot; as the opening scene of the film centers around the holiday.[2]

2002–2018

In 2002, the animated Hanukkah film, "Eight Crazy Nights" was released. The film was written and started by Adam Sandler, who also based the title of the film off the lyrics of his song, "The Chanukah Song". The film featured other notable actors such as Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon, Jon Lovitz, and Jackie Titone (who is also Sandler's wife), and has been called the best known and highest profile Hanukkah film, and has been credited with starting the genre. The film was a box office bomb, grossing only $23.8 million of its $34 million budget; but gained a cult following among those in the Jewish community in the years following its release. The film has remained popular, however, some critics find the film abrasive and express the desire for "a better Hanukkah movie" to be made.[3]

In 2012, the Hallmark Channel produced its first film mentioning Hanukkah, "Hitched for the Holidays", starring Joey Lawrence as an actor hired by a Jewish woman played by Emily Hampshire, (Hampshire is not actually Jewish herself), to pretend to be her boyfriend around her character's family, as they visit the "couple" for Hanukkah. Lawrence and Hampshire's characters later fall in love and marry in the end of the film.[4][5]

2018–present

In November 2018, Hallmark Channel announces their intention to produce two Hanukkah films titled, "Holiday Date", and "Double Holiday", respectively, on their television channel, which would air during their annual Countdown to Christmas event the following year. This was the first time the channel produced a Hanukkah film, and a spokeswoman for the channel said that the one film, "Holiday Date", would have, “Hannukah elements… which is a lot of fun as Hanukkah and Christmas overlap in 2019.” The other film's script, "Holiday Date", was not finished at the time.[6]

Notable examples of Hanukkah films

Some notable examples of films in this genre, as well as films featuring Hanukkah, are listed as follows.

An American Tail

An American Tail is a 1986 American animated musical comedy-drama adventure film directed by Don Bluth and produced by Sullivan Bluth Inc. and Amblin Entertainment.[7] The film opens as the family is celebrating Hanukkah in Shostka, Ukraine in 1885, the Mousekewitzes, a Russian-Jewish family of mice who live with a human family named Moskowitz, are celebrating the holiday and Papa gives his hat to his 5-year-old son, Fievel, and tells him about the United States, a country where there are no cats. The celebration is interrupted when a battery of Cossacks ride through the village square in an anti-Jewish arson attack and their cats likewise attack the village mice. Because of this, the Moskowitz home, along with that of the Mousekewitzes, is destroyed, and the film tells the story of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family as they emigrate from the Imperial Russian territory of Ukraine to the United States for freedom. However, he gets lost and must find a way to reunite with them.[8]

Eight Crazy Nights

Eight Crazy Nights is a 2002 American adult animated musical comedy-drama Hanukkah film directed by Seth Kearsley and produced, co-written by and starring Adam Sandler, in his first voice-acting role. The film is animated in the style of television holiday specials, and, unlike most mainstream holiday films, centers on Jewish characters during the Hanukkah season, as opposed to the Christian celebration of Christmas.

This is also Happy Madison Productions' first animated film. The film's title is taken from a line in Sandler's series of songs called The Chanukah Song that compares the gift-giving traditions of Christmas and Chanukah: "Instead of one day of presents, we get eight crazy nights!". Additionally, a new version of The Chanukah Song was played over the film's closing credits. It has been called the best known Hanukkah film.[9]

The film has received a cult following, especially among those in the Jewish community, as it is one of the highest profile and most known Hanukkah films.[10]

The Hebrew Hammer

The Hebrew Hammer is a 2003 American comedy Hanukkah film written and directed by Jonathan Kesselman. It stars Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, Andy Dick, Mario Van Peebles, and Peter Coyote. The plot concerns a Jewish blaxploitation crime fighter known as the Hebrew Hammer who must save Hanukkah from the evil son of Santa Claus, who wants to destroy Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and make everyone celebrate Christmas.

Full-Court Miracle

Full-Court Miracle is a 2003 Disney Channel Original Hanukkah Movie. It premiered on November 21, 2003. Inspired by the true story of University of Virginia Cavaliers basketball star Lamont Carr, the film centers on a group of young Jewish basketball players during the Hanukkah season who are determined to find their own Judah Macabee to coach their team and help their team out of a slump. The main character Alex Schlotsky is inspired by the true story of Chad Korpeck and Alex Barbag. The film makes numerous references to the miracle of the oil, with the school's electricity staying on even though it was being powered by a gas generator with only enough fuel for one hour instead of the eight hours the game lasted. The film concludes with Rabbi Lewis (a fictional character in the film) telling the story of Hanukkah and its relation to the basketball game plays over the scene.[11]

Notable examples of films referencing Hanukkah

Futurama: Bender's Big Score

Futurama: Bender's Big Score (or Bender's Big Score) is a 2007 American direct-to-video animated science fiction comedy-adventure film based on the animated series Futurama. The film incorporates other holidays, but features an original character named the “Chanukah Zombie” played by Mark Hamill (known for his role as Luke Skywalker).[12]

See also

• Hanukkah in television
• Hanukkah

References

1. "Why Are There So Few Hanukkah Movies?". Vox. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
2. Trumbore, Dave. "'An American Tale': Modern Lessons on Racism, Immigration and Human Decency". Collider. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
3. "Jews deserve a better Hanukkah movie than Adam Sandler's "Eight Crazy Nights"". Salon. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
4. Berr, Jonathan. "Hallmark, Famous For Christmas Movies, Plans Two Hanukkah Features". Forbes. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
5. "Hitched for the Holidays (2012)". IMDB.
6. Berr, Jonathan. "Hallmark, Famous For Christmas Movies, Plans Two Hanukkah Features". Forbes. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
7. Canby, Vincent (21 November 1986). "An American Tail". The New York Times.
8. "8 Hanukkah Movies That Will Light Up Your Holiday (Photos)". The Wrap. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
9. "Jews deserve a better Hanukkah movie than Adam Sandler's "Eight Crazy Nights"". Salon. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
10. "Jews deserve a better Hanukkah movie than Adam Sandler's "Eight Crazy Nights"". Salon. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
11. "Full-Court Miracle Trivia". imdb.com. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
12. The Futon Critic Staff (7 February 2008). "Comedy Central's "South Park", "Li'l Bush", More to Return in March".