The Light Ahead is possibly the greatest of Edgar G. Ulmer’s shtetl films. Here, the director counterpoints his pastoral Green Fields to criticize the poverty and superstition that oppress a pair of star-crossed lovers. Made on the eve of World War II, The Light Ahead is at once romantic, expressionist, and painfully conscious of the danger about to engulf European Jews. Impoverished and disabled lovers Fishke and Hodel dream of life in the big city of Odessa, free from the poverty and stifling old-world prejudices of the shtetl. The benevolent and enlightened bookseller Mendele helps them, turning small-town superstitions to their advantage. Based on Mendele Mokher Seforim's story of love frustrated by small-town ignorance, this luminous allegory of escape marries Edgar Ulmer's masterful direction with superb acting by members of New York's Artef and Yiddish Art Theaters.
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Cast
3 people
Edgar G. Ulmer Director · Shirley Ulmer Screenplay Edward Hyland Cinematographer
United States release June 1, 1939 · Produced in United States · Original title Fishke der Krumer
Production
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Fishke der Krumer
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
Yiddish
Release dates
United States · June 1, 1939
Theatrical
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