World Premiere
The Wedding Entertainer (The Tale of Moishe Badhan)
Viewpoints
Feature Narrative | Israel, United States | 111 MINUTES | Hebrew, Yiddish | English subtitlesComedy, Drama, Romance
Before his battle with addiction, Moishe Striker (Shuli Rand) was the most sought after Badchan (a Hasidic Jewish comedian who MCs weddings) in all of Jerusalem. Now living in disgrace, Moishe must secure one last gig to raise the $20,000 required to marry off his daughter, Sarah-Leah (Malky Goldman). When his childhood best friend, Yisroel Bomchik (Tal Friedman), returns home for his son’s wedding, Moishe convinces Yisroel to let him co-host the ceremony alongside the already-hired Meshulam Kalicker (Elon Gold), a younger and flashier Badchan. Moishe and Meshulam each bring their own flair to the festivities, but the proceedings quickly spiral out of control when the seasoned performers clash.
Expertly crafted by director/co-writer Gidi Dar, The Wedding Entertainer (The Tale of Moishe Badhan) celebrates a deep-rooted tradition while remaining funny, heartfelt and wildly entertaining. Star Shuli Rand is a marvel as Moishe, a man seizing one last opportunity to return to the spotlight and relive his glory days, including all their temptations. This Israeli dramedy perfectly captures the joy and chaos that ensues at any wedding, allowing audiences everywhere to relate to its rich storytelling.—Karen Kemmerle