Hester Street (1975)
- Starring:
- Steven Keats, Carol Kane, (more)
- Director(s):
- Joan Micklin Silver
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Hester Street
Among the first releases in the new wave of independent films of the 1970s, writer/director Joan Micklin Silver's portrait of turn-of-the-century New York is also important for its unflinching portrait of women's issues. Russian Jewish immigrant Gitl (Carol Kane) joins her husband Jake (Steven Keats) in New York after he has gone ahead to establish himself. Jake has quickly assimilated many American customs, much to the dismay of Gitl, who clings to her Old World ways. Gitl's discovery of how Jake was able to finance her trip to America leads to more tension, and Gitl is soon on her own with few resources on which to draw. Although the film performed modestly at the box office, it was a sign of changing times when Kane's quietly assured performance was nominated for an Academy award, a rare recognition by Hollywood of a film made outside the studio system. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 90 mins
Complete Cast of Hester Street
- Steven Keats - Jake
- Mel Howard - Bernstein
- Doris Roberts - Kavarsky
- Lauren Frost - Fanny
- Robert Lesser - Lawyer
- Claudia Silver - Feigie
- Leib Lensky - Peddler
- Sol Frieder - Scribe
- Mordecai Lawner - Waiter
- Martin Garner - Boss
- Carol Kane - Gitl
- Dorrie Kavanaugh - Mamie
- Stephen Strimpell - Peltner
- Paul Freedman - Joey
- Lin Shaye - Whore
- Eda Reiss Merin - Rabbi's Wife
- Zvee Scooler - Rabbi
- Philip Sterling - Mr. Lipman
- Anna Berger - Poultry Woman
- Joanna Merlin - Jake's Landlady
- Director(s):
- Joan Micklin Silver
- Writer(s):
- Joan Micklin Silver
- Producer(s):
- Raphael Silver, Raphael D. Stewart
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Adult Situations, Questionable for Children)
- Categories:
- Romance
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