When Felix & Shulem have their "man-to-man" talk, Felix offers Shulem a glass of wine, saying: "It comes from my father's cellar; it's Kosher." Does that mean we are to assume that Felix is Jewish? I didn't see anything else that identified Felix as Jewish. Did I just miss it? Felix? Caroline? Theodore? Jewish???
shareI'm disappointed that no one has responded to my question. Maybe not enough people have actually seen F&M yet? Maybe when more people see it, some will realize that I am actually asking a serious question?
Trust me on this Folks: Being "Jewish" is a very complicated issue in the 21st Century! Note this one example (below) specifically related to the question of the missing backstories in F&M. Some of my film critic colleagues were mesmerized by the moody music & the artfully-captured winter light, but I kept wondering who these two people really were & why the filmmakers didn't think they needed to tell us any more about them :-(
Between Ashkenaz and Québécois: Fifty Years of Francophone Sephardim in Montréal http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/diaspora_a_journal_of_transnational_studies/v016/16.1-2.miles.html
I was also interested in an answer to that question. I doubt that Saint-Francois could be a Jewish name. I looked on the Montreal Jewish Genealogical website, and that name was not listed.
shareGood catch, Eisiek. I don't remember hearing that Felix's last name was Saint-Francois, but if you do, then thinking Felix's father was Jewish just because Felix says his father's wine was kosher becomes even more of a stretch.
Of course, Felix could still be Jewish if his mother was Jewish, but where is the evidence of that?
So we agree in thinking Felix is not identified in the film as Jewish... oui?
Well, if you live around a lot of Jews, you might find yourself with Kosher stuff. Also, if you're a wine connoisseur, you might find yourself with Kosher wine (some are quite good, apparently).
Also, Felix could be lying.
Felix was not Jewish in any meaningful sense of the word. But it struck me as bold/stupid that he would just slap on a wig and try to fit right in to an orthodox party?
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I was also interested in an answer to that question. I doubt that Saint-Francois could be a Jewish name. I looked on the Montreal Jewish Genealogical website, and that name was not listed.
shareIMO yes, Felix is jewish but non practicing
Oscar
Hablo mejor español :)
OK, Oscar, I'm game: On the basis of what evidence do you decide...?
shareIMO when Felix offers Shulem a glass of wine, saying: "It comes from my father's cellar; it's Kosher."
At least his father is jew.
Oscar
Hablo mejor español :)
With all due respect, Oscar, I think the reference to Kosher wine was a feeble joke on Felix's part. If you read thread above, I think you will see that most of us do not think Felix is supposed to be Jewish in any way. Certainly Shulem refuses the wine and does not take the offer of "Kosher Wine" seriously for even an instant. I would like to have the filmmaker weigh in on this question, of course, but for now, the offhand mention of "Kosher Wine" simply is not enough for me to consider the Felix character Jewish.
Thanks much,
Jan
Some products for consumption can be from a non-Jewish source and yet get certified as kosher if it is proven that certain standards are met and are verified by a Rabbi.
shareWhat makes you think he.s jewish? His nose? I thought he was a Quebecois.
You realize French Canadians can be the biggest racists right ??
Honestly, Buff70, no one I know has made any nose comments. It all goes back to the offer of the wine. I agree that the most likely background is Quebecois. All best, Jan
shareI know nobody made a "nose" comment, I read all the comments. I was just kidding.
Saint-Francois is definitely a French name , Catholic.
However, the actors might very well be jewish, they really do have the traits; especially his sister Caroline.
I got the impression that he was a non religious Jew, not for anything specific, but just the sum of little details...hanging around in the kosher restaurant, being comfortable among orthodox party and her...
shareIn the DVD there are extras, and in one of them it is clearly stated that Felix is not a Jew.
share