Hester Street
From Free net encyclopedia
Hester Street is a 1975 film based on Abraham Cahan's 1896 novella Yekl: A Tale of the New York Ghetto and was adapted and directed by Joan Micklin Silver. It stars Carol Kane, Steven Keats, and Paul Freedman.
It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress - Carol Kane.
Hester Street tells the story of Jewish immigrants who come to the Lower East side of New York City in 1896 from Europe. When Yekl first comes to the U.S., he quickly assimilates into American culture and becomes Jake. His wife, Gitl, who arrives later with their son, Yossele, cannot assimilate and tension arises in the marriage. When Yossele becomes Joey and Gitl falls in love with Bernstein (who also does not assimilate) she not only leaves the marriage but outsmarts Jake as well.