The Oscars this year had its ups and downs, from the ecstasy of Leonardo DiCaprio winning his first Oscar (and subsequently breaking the internet) to more serious discussions of race and representation in the entertainment industry and sexual violence on college campuses.
Still, there’s nothing more Jewish than finding reasons to celebrate despite the somewhat depressing state of affairs. Here are three Jewish Oscar wins that deserve a l’chaim.
1. “Amy” – Best Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_LafGHKrNg
Chronicling the life and death of Amy Winehouse through interviews with family, friends, and industry people, as well as with archived footage and home videos, the documentary commemorates this brilliant Jewish songstress gone too soon.
2. Adam McKay and Charles Randolph – Best Screenplay for “The Big Short”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUYAMU0s3KA
After McKay stressed the importance of voting for presidential candidates who don’t take money from “big banks, oil, or weirdo billionaires,” Randolph acknowledged his wife Mili Avital, an Israeli-American actress, in Hebrew, saying “Ani ohev otach, Mili” (“I love you, Mili”).
3. “Son of Saul” – Best Foreign Language Film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNgs9_enmbc
In this dark feature about a member of the Sonderkommando in Auschwitz-Birkenau, breakout star Geza Rohrig and first-time director László Nemes are both members of the Tribe. Check out The Jewish Week’s interview with them here.
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