New Yiddish movie 'Shttl' is a cinematic triumph that rebuilds a lost Jewish world: review

New Yiddish Movie "Shttl" Rebuilds a Lost Jewish World

Ady Walter stands out as one of the boldest Jewish filmmakers in recent years. His film “Shttl” is an extraordinary artistic achievement, both technically and emotionally.

Filming and Production

Shot in 2021 in Ukraine, the movie was created in one continuous take, in black and white, entirely in Yiddish, and under strict COVID-19 restrictions. The production faced the looming danger of a Russian invasion, adding real tension to the atmosphere on set.

Walter constructed a full-scale replica of a shtetl — complete with homes, a synagogue, and winding dirt roads — to ensure historical and visual authenticity. Every scene contributes to the immersive portrayal of prewar Jewish life.

Cast and Creative Choices

For the leading role, Walter chose Moshe Lobel, a newcomer making his debut in a feature film. Their collaboration was born out of trust developed through remote conversations before filming began.

“The story of the film was a Jewish ‘Apocalypse Now,’” Walter told Unpacked. “This was a crazy adventure in wild conditions. We even shot in swamps with mosquitoes in Ukraine.”
“With Moshe, I never met him before he came, but we had conversations over the phone where I could trust he was right for it.”

Language and Authenticity

From the outset, Walter insisted on filming in Yiddish, regardless of marketability, believing it was essential to the story’s truth.

“I don’t come from a Yiddish-speaking family,” Walter said. “But not doing it in Yiddish wasn’t an option. I wanted to make a film where people spoke Yiddish because it was their language at the time.”

Author’s Summary

Through meticulous craft and linguistic authenticity, Ady Walter’s “Shttl” resurrects the vanished world of the Jewish shtetl, offering a rare cinematic window into a lost culture.

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Unpacked Unpacked — 2025-10-31

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