Join Harry and Daniel as they dive into the world of Girlfriends—the groundbreaking 1978 film by Claudia Weil that some have called "the Jewish Frances Ha."

This week, they’re joined by filmmaker and actress Jessie Kahnweiler to unpack the story of Susan, played by Melanie Mayron, as she navigates life, friendship, and independence in a way that’s as bold as it is relatable.

Expect a lively discussion about Susan’s undeniable chutzpah, the film’s nuanced portrayal of female friendship, and finding your path on your own terms. Of course, no conversation would be complete without spotlighting some of the movie’s best (and corniest) Jewish jokes, along with their signature "Jewishness" ranking—covering everything from cast and crew to content and themes.

And don’t miss the bonus at the end, where Jessie gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming film, Just the Tip!

Girlfriends on IMDb

Girlfriends movie trailer

Jessie's Links

Jesse Kahnweiler on Instagram

Just the Tip Trailer

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Harry and Daniel welcome acclaimed director Eddie Schmidt to the pod to discuss Albert Brooks’ pioneering meta-documentary “Real Life,” released in 1979.

Join them as they track the film’s exploration of truth and reality, and Brooks’ repeated meddling in the “reality” of his subjects. They then consider the different modes of performance in the film, and discuss how a God-fearing Jew is uniquely equipped to survive in an overly-observed world. Finally, they discuss the shlemiel and shlimazel archetypes and debate which each of the characters represents in the film. As always, they rank the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.

Stick around for the end of the podcast to hear a little bit more about Eddie‘s latest project “Good One: A Show About Jokes" and some of the parallels to "Real Life" as well as how he set out capturing Mike Birbiglia’s process in creating a special.

Real Life Trailer

Real Life on IMDb

Eddie's Links

Eddie Schmidt on Instagram

Good One: A Show About Jokes

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In this electrifying episode of Jews on Film, Daniel and Harry are thrilled to be joined by Yacov Freedman, Sr. Producer of TCM's acclaimed series The Plot Thickens. Together, they dive into the dazzling world of 2011's X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn. 🦸‍♂️💥

This action-packed discussion covers everything from Magneto's poignant backstory as a Holocaust survivor to the X-Men's historical role as stand-ins for marginalized members of the Jewish, LGBTQ+, and Black communities .

📽️✨ As they unpack the film's historical influences and character dynamics, you'll also hear Harry's heartfelt confession of his admiration for Michael Fassbender.

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the superhero saga's deeper meanings and its cultural impact! 🌟🦹‍♀️

X-Men First Class on Trailer

X-Men First Class on IMDb

Yacov's Links

The Plot Thickens on Apple Podcasts

Yacov Freedman on Twitter

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