Streaming Now
With existing and new shows hitting the streaming circuit over the coming weeks, there will be plenty of Jewish representation on our screens. The AJN looks at what's available now and in the near future.
From a “they mitzvah” on And Just Like That to breaking up with the ultra-Orthodox community in My Unorthodox Life, every month, it seems that Jewish representation is becoming even more mainstream on screens. And with shows like Fauda, Unorthodox, and Shtisel being widely enjoyed by millions around the world, it’s no surprise that more and more television shows with Jewish themes and characters are being embraced.
Anne and Hannah
Anne Frank has been in the news a lot lately, as people attempt to figure out who betrayed the young Jew and her family. And now, Netflix is bringing Anne to our screens. This time though, through the eyes of her best friend.
My Best Friend Anne Frank is based on the real-life friendship between Anne and Hannah Goslar, following the pair from Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to their experiences and eventual reunion in Bergen-Belsen.
Not counting the animated Where is Anne Frank?, the film marks the first piece of Dutch cinema about Anne’s story.
Beautifully, in the opening scene, the movie shows young Anne and Hannah playing hide and seek in Otto Frank’s office. They climb into a hidden wing of the building, which became the secret annexe where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis.
Rather than touching on the time the Frank family spent in the secret annexe, My Best Friend Anne Frank looks at how central Anne was in Hannah’s life, commenting on how pivotal Anne continues to be in many of our own lives now, and showing a different perspective to the traditional stories shared about her.
The film looks at how different Hannah and Anne were – the former practical and serious and the latter mischievous and imaginative – and how they coped with the world falling apart around them.
In reality, the pair never physically saw each other while they were imprisoned in separate sections of Bergen-Belsen, with Hannah telling JTA in 2004 that she “heard by chance that she was there behind the fence”. The movie, though, depicts Hannah seeing Anne through the fence. However, what the movie does stay true to is the care package that Hannah delivered Anne.
While Anne was murdered in Bergen-Belsen shortly before liberation, Hannah survived and lives in Jerusalem.
My Best Friend Anne Frank is streaming on Netflix.
They Mitzvah
The writers of Sex and the City and And Just Like That have never shied away from representing Jews. It was a huge storyline when main character Charlotte converted to Judaism, lovingly embracing her husband Harry’s religion, and remaining steadfastly Jewish ever since.
In And Just Like That, Charlotte continues to embody her Jewish identity, baking challah for Shabbat and even organising a “they mitzvah” for her younger child, Rock, who recently began using they/them pronouns. It’s a beautiful way to express what is happening throughout society at the moment, as gender identities beyond male and female become accepted. Charlotte and Harry hire a transgender rabbi, played by Jewish transgender actor Hari Nef, to work with Rock, with Charlotte claiming it’s “bashert” to have found Rabbi Jen.
While Rock doesn’t end up saying their Torah portion, and (spoiler alert) is rather replaced by Charlotte on the bimah, the show has received praise for not only showcasing Judaism but also challenging the norms and featuring a gender-neutral coming-of-age ritual for a child who simply wants to be themselves.
And Just Like That is available on Foxtel and Binge.
Midge is back
Midge Maisel left us in season three down in the dumps about being booted off Shy Baldwin’s tour after pretty much outing him in her opening act. But now she’s back, and by the looks of it, she’s coming back with a bang.
In the trailer for The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, we see Midge and her manager Susie discussing the former’s comeback, with Midge claiming that she “will only do gigs where I can say what I want”. When she’s challenged by Susie, Midge demands that they “change the business”.
There are elaborate costumes to look forward to, hilarious quips (obviously), and Midge pushing the boundaries as only Midge can.
All the usuals will be back for season four, along with some delightful new faces including Reid Scott, of Veep fame and Milo Ventimiglia, from Gilmore Girls and This Is Us among other things.
While no one knows about the plot of season four and just what’s in store for Midge, what’s clear from the trailer is that Midge is back, and ready to flip the script on everyone who relegated her to an opening act.
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is available to stream on Amazon Prime. Season four begins February 18.