MINYAN

US, 2020, 118 minutes, Colour.
Samuel H. Levine, Ron Rifkin, Christopher Mc Cann, Mark Margolis, Zane Pais, Brooke Bloom, Alex Hurt, Richard Topol.
Directed by Eric Steel.

Minyan is a Hebrew word in the setting for this story is a New York Jewish community. There is a striking opening image as the members of the family are framed standing, praying together. The meaning of Minyan is that prayer in community binds people together, that community office the context of faith.

Israeli Director, Eric’s Steel, spent a great deal of time in the United States and so is able to bring the community to life. He also creates the atmosphere of the synagogue, of the religious schools with their students examining sacred texts and asking questions. By contrast, he also shows the central character, David (Samuel H.Levine) studying literature at a secular college, examining texts by James Baldwin.

David’s parents are originally from Russia. They live separately, his mother rather dominating, trained as a dentist but acting as a receptionist in doing dental work after hours. David is very close to his recently widowed grandfather (Ron Rifkin) and would like to move into his apartment. There is a background of difficulties in getting apartments in New York, a Rabbi having a mediating role in finding apartments for applicants, although the list is long.

In a subplot, David meets an elderly couple, the ill Itsak (Mark Margolis) and Herschel (Christopher Mc Cann), impoverished, in need of accommodation. He is kind and sympathetic to them both.

David is 17 (though looking older) mixes with a group of student-friends but has no girlfriend. The narrative then moves to some exploration of David’s homosexual orientation. He visits a gay bar, encounters an older man and goes to his apartment. He has begun sexual exploration before he truly understands himself.

The film serves rather as a glimpse of life rather than a detailed drama.

1. The title? The Hebrew meaning? Community, solidarity, Minyan as prayer and faith within the community? The opening image of the family together illustrating Minyan?

2. The New York story, Jewish story, homes and apartments, applications for apartments through the synagogue, the scenes in the synagogue, in the Hebrew school, and the secular high school, the clubs, gay clubs? The musical score, Jewish themes?

3. David’s story, teenager, the background in Russia, his parents, coming to New York? Going to the rabbinic school, questions, reading the text? Going to the secular school, the discussions about James Baldwin? His bond with his grandfather, the issue of the apartment, his wanting to move with his grandfather? His parents and their concern? The meeting with Itzak and Herschel? Friendship with them, Itzak’s health, Herschel’s poverty, the discussion with the rabbi about accommodation?

4. The discussions with his parents, his father’s career, his mother as a receptionist, her dental work, her domination of her son?

5. Issues of sexuality, no girls in David’s life, the friendship with the girl at school, liking her?

6. Going to the gay bars, the bartender reading James Baldwin? The meeting with the older man, the dance, drinking, going to the apartment, the sexual experiences, the
aftermath?


7. His grandfather and companion, the prospects for the future?

8. The atmosphere in New York City?