ODESSA 1903: A PORTRAIT

Released: September 29, 2020

Director and Writer: King Dawit

DOP: King Dawit

Producer: King Dawit 

Starring Valentyn Colton and Larissa Siquera

Filmed: October 3, 8 2019

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In early 20th century Odessa, a Jewish man must choose between his home, and safety for him and his wife, after an anti-Semitic attack on the streets.

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A film school cinematography project, I re-cut this some time later, with the lead actor adding in narration to flesh out the story. Done as a nod to my own Jewish heritage, and my great grandparents' and grandparents' escape from persecution in Eastern Europe. Although Jews in this situation would likely have spoken Yiddish, I chose to show a Ukrainian Jewish couple that despite having assimilated into the Russian Empire, they are still not wanted.

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