Lies My Father Told Me, Directed by Jan Kadar (Canada: 1975)

Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film, 1975.

Childhood memories, like too many successive sundaes, can be nauseating. But “Lies My Father Told Me makes their bittersweet nostalgia pleasurable. Ted Allan’s dramatization of remembrances of his own Jewish family in the Montreal melting pot of a half-century ago is brought appealingly alive with the aid of Jan Kadar’s perceptive direction and strong performances.  Father, mother, relatives, and neighbors are important but not nearly as central to this memoir as 7-year-old David Herman and his bearded grandfather Zaida. They form a mutual admiration society that includes Ferdeleh, the ancient nag that draws grandfather’s wagon through streets and alleys. Zaida’ orthodox beliefs are transmitted to the loving youngster through parables and tall tales. David’s father is a failed inventor constantly seeking loans from the old man. The teeming neighborhood scene’s varied characters color the family’s life. Zaida’s unwavering faith is equal to his love of his grandson. The clashes between the grandfather and the father leave no doubts as to the boy’s allegiance. Kadar, best known for his memorable “The Shop on Main Street,” is equally pointed in his affection and professionalism. This journey back to lost youth touchingly reveals people as authentic as the settings in which they are captured.

Laurie Baron will introduce the movie and facilitate discussion about it afterwards. Refer to the weekly email for the zoom link.

The zoom room will open at 6:45 pm.