The Humorist

Set in the waning days of the Soviet Union, The Humorist is a portrait of a fictional stand-up comedian, Boris Arkadieva, whose intellect becomes a burden when he can’t adapt to the increasingly heavy chains of expectation and censorship. This smart social satire presents a tormented man affected not only by external oppression, but also by his own insecurities that poison his relationships, sanity, and successes. An impressive directorial debut by Michael Idov, this film crackles with sharp-witted dialogue and reveals the darker elements of a society moving into uncharted territory beyond mere corruption. Introduction by Ilya Tovbis (VAFF)

This film is part of the Israeli and Jewish Film series supported by Congregation Beth Israel