Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema

Daniel and Harry step away from their latest Capitol Pictures assignment—something about a wrestling picture?—to dive into the Coen Brothers’ Barton Fink. They are joined by actor, writer, director, and novelist Tim Blake Nelson, whose new book Super Hero adds an extra layer to their exploration of creativity, identity, and the strange, sticky world of Hollywood.

Together, they unpack the film’s Jewish themes, its surreal portrait of the “life of the mind,” and why Barton Fink still feels so eerily relevant. From peeling wallpaper to the pressures of writing for “the common man,” this conversation blends film history, industry insight, and classic Jews on Film humor—without the Hotel Earle’s heat.

Harry and Daniel are joined by caricature artist Robin Schwartzman to revisit Don Bluth and Steven Spielberg’s animated classic An American Tail, the story of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family’s journey from Russia to America. Beneath its colorful animation and unforgettable songs lies a deeply Jewish immigration story, echoing themes of displacement, perseverance, and hope. The hosts explore the film’s historical context, its portrayal of Jewish immigrant life, and the lasting cultural impact of Fievel as a symbol of resilience and belonging.

🧳 A tale of immigrants, Yiddish, and the struggle between Old World traditions and New World dreams.

Harry and Daniel are joined by podcaster & writer Julie Klausner to tackle Adaptation, Spike Jonze’s wildly inventive collaboration with screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Starring Nicolas Cage in a dual role as Kaufman and his fictional twin brother, the film bends narrative form to explore writer’s block, creativity, and self-doubt. The hosts discuss Kaufman’s uniquely Jewish lens on storytelling, the blending of comedy and melancholy, and how the film fits into a broader tradition of Jewish metafiction in literature and cinema.

Daniel and Harry are once again joined by actor & comedian Gil Ozeri to discuss the 1987 classic, Spaceballs.

Join them as they uncover the ways Mel Brooks brings his Jewish voice and humor to this parody of Star Wars and the classic tropes it inspired. Listen in as they talk about the power of the Schwartz, the Druish princess Vespa, and the all powerful (and very Jewish) Yogurt!