New Yiddish movie 'Shttl' is a cinematic triumph that rebuilds a lost Jewish world: review

New Yiddish Movie "Shttl" Recreates a Lost Jewish World

Ady Walter stands out as one of the most daring Jewish directors in recent years with his film Shttl. Filmed in Ukraine in 2021 amid COVID-19 restrictions and under the threat of Russian invasion, the movie is an impressive cinematic feat.

Unique Production Approach

Shttl was shot entirely in black and white, in a single continuous take, and entirely in Yiddish. To bring the story to life, Walter constructed a full-scale replica of a shtetl, including homes, a synagogue, and winding dirt roads.

“The story of the film was a Jewish ‘Apocalypse Now,’” Walter told Unpacked.

Authentic Casting and Filming Conditions

The lead role was given to Moshe Lobel, a newcomer with no prior leading film roles. Walter trusted Lobel's talent based on phone conversations before meeting him. The filming took place in challenging conditions, including swamps filled with mosquitoes in Ukraine.

“With Moshe, I never met him before he came, but we had conversations over the phone where I could trust he was right for it.”

Commitment to Language and Authenticity

Walter made a firm decision to tell the story exclusively in Yiddish, despite concerns about the film's commercial prospects. He saw it as essential to preserving the authenticity of the period and culture portrayed.

“I don’t come from a Yiddish-speaking family,” Walter said. “But not doing it in Yiddish wasn’t an option. I wanted to make a film where people spoke Yiddish because it was their language at the time.”

Author's summary: Ady Walter’s Shttl is a bold and authentic Yiddish film, filmed in one continuous take inside a replica shtetl, preserving a lost Jewish world with remarkable dedication.

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Unpacked Unpacked — 2025-11-01

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