TV and Radio Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz announced that Fiddler on the Roof, has claimed the coveted title of Best Ever Jewish Film following the recent public vote. The announcement was made Thursday night, 8th November, at the Opening Night Gala of the 22nd UK Jewish Film Festival.
At a time when there is growing concern about antisemitism around the globe it's perhaps unsurprising that a film about the persecution of Jews is striking such a resonant chord with so many people. Organisers commented that the top four film choices all feature antisemitism as a major theme.
In the lead-up to the festival the public were encouraged to vote for their favourite Jewish film, with some famous faces also getting in touch to cast their votes, such as Matt Lucas (Little Britain), Maureen Lipman (The Pianist) and Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham).
Jewish classics such as Schindler's List and The Pianist were clear front runners in the vote with some more modern classics such as Call Me By Your Name and Son of Saul also making an appearance, causing ties for 7th and 10th place respectively. Here is a full list of the winners:
BEST EVER JEWISH FILM RESULTS
1. Fiddler on the Roof
2. Schindler's List
3. The Producers
4. Life Is Beautiful
5. A Serious Man
6. The Pianist
7. Call Me By Your Name
7. Shoah
8. Annie Hall
9. The Big Lebowski
10. Son of Saul
10. The Jazz Singer
The definition of 'Jewish film' for the purpose of the vote was outlinedas: any film whose content reflects or engages with, in part at least, Jewish life, themes or stories or Jewish sensibilities, language and comedy.
