Antisemite tells a relatable story about a young man’s instinctive search for a stronger bond with his ancestry and a richer connection to something higher than himself. Director Michelle Bossy and screenwriter Etan Marciano attempt to walk that delicate line between character development and didactic messaging. But at 14 minutes long, is there enough time to plumb all they need for the narrative to work?
Like many college students in the throes of their youth, Seth (Sasha Feldman) prioritizes partying with his friends and basking in the carefree here and now of his life. He believes he has all the time in the world to discover a meaningful purpose for himself and what the future may bring. That sentiment is suddenly challenged one night after a street encounter with Isaac (Guri Weinberg), an Orthodox Jew who correctly pegs Seth as having Jewish heritage.
“…encourages him to embrace his cultural heritage…”
Isaac urges Seth to join him in a nearby synagogue where he teaches the guarded youth an Orthodox prayer as well as its procedures and promises. He gifts Seth his very own Kippah and encourages him to embrace his cultural heritage and seek a relationship with God. It’s at this moment that Isaac’s kindness and guidance solidify Seth’s curiosity. His friend, Gwen (Christy Jung-Yun Choi), shows her support for his religious contemplation, while Seth defends it against his other friend’s seemingly harmless jests. However, Seth’s most significant challenge comes in the form of a familial debate with his father (Peter Zizzo).
Seth’s desires leave viewers with the poignant reality that embracing certain cultural identities can awaken distorted reflections in others and, at times, even lead to combustive, unfortunate results. Antisemite is well-acted and engaging. Bossy never lets any scene last longer than needed, and Marciano’s dialogue is intelligent without being show-offy.
"…intelligent without being show-offy."
