Rashevski's Tango

Rashevski's Tango is an intriguing drama film that premiered in 2003, directed by Sam Garbarski. The film boasts a stellar cast including Natan Cogan, Ishai Golan, and Mosko Alkalai. Set against a backdrop of contemporary Belgium with historical undertones of strife-ridden Europe, this movie provides an invigorating exploration into self-identity, family ties, and the evolving nature of faith.

The plot of Rashevski's Tango is ignited by the end of a life - Rosa Rashevski, the matriarch of the Rashevski family, known for her flamboyant and unconventional way of life, closes her eyes to the world forever. The seemingly liberal but intrinsically complex Jewish family finds itself in a tangle of emotions and prying questions surrounding ideals and identity. Rosa, a survivor of concentration camps, divorcée, and lover of a non-Jewish man, had lived her life on her terms, far from religious norms and confines.

A poignant reflection of this film surrounds the question: "Can a Jew who doesn't believe in God be still a good Jew?" Rosa's family, consisting of her children, grandchildren, and in-laws, must grapple with this question after her sudden passing. As they navigate her death's aftermath, the Rashevskis are drawn into their personal notions of faith, tradition, and their sense of Jewishness.

The layers of familial relationships and their relation to identity form the core of Rashevski's Tango. It follows different generations within this family, interweaving their individual stories. From a grandson grappling with his looming circumcising and an adult daughter's bittersweet love life to an estranged son's painful relationship with his mother, Rashevski's Tango captures a broad spectrum of human relationships and dualities.

Character development in Rashevski's Tango truly stands out. Natan Cogan brilliantly portrays the role of the rational yet perplexed grandson Simon who is a professor of philosophy, caught in the turmoil of his roots and feelings. Ishai Golan masterfully embodies the role of Antoine, the lost and estranged son struggling to reconcile with his mother's past and his own identity. Mosko Alkalai gives a powerful performance as Rosa's non-Jewish lover who lovingly attempts to understand the Rashevski's contrasting world. Together, the cast paints a realistic and engaging portrait of each character's yearning and questioning of their faith and identity.

Director Sam Garbarski masterfully ensures that the film, while revolving around a subject as heavy as religion and identity, does not succumb to monotone. Instead, it walks a delicate balance between drama and comedy with utmost finesse. The narrative unfolds with a fluidity, striking a unique chord between the profound and the playful. The plotline is speckled with light and shade, interspersed with laughter, tears, dances, and of course, the rhythmic Tango.

The movie presents a rich visual treat, with contrasting landscapes that parallel the underlying theme – from the ugly yet historical shadows of a concentration camp to the boisterous vivacity of a Tango dance class. Garbarski uses these vibrant settings to subtly highlight the dichotomies and parallels of life, love, faith, and identity.

In this heart-tugging narrative, the spirited dance of Tango symbolizes a pivotal metaphor. Just as the Tango demands the blending of two different energies into a harmonious rhythm, the movie portrays the character’s quest to harmonize their Jewish roots with their contemporary lives.

Contextually powerful and emotionally rich, the film touches upon the universal theme of human identity - the eternal quest of who we are versus what we appear to be. It tenderly explores the silent, often overshadowed struggles within a family - the disparity between one's faith and the lack of it, the contrast between personal freedom and traditional norms, and the eternal balancing act between love, life, and faith.

While Rashevski's Tango centers on the Jewish experience in a modern world, it transcends its religious setting to become a universal exploration of identity, faith, love, and family. With its uniquely heartwarming and human story, Rashevski's Tango offers a poignant cinematic experience that resonates with audiences long after the credits roll.