Shalom, Daddy - uncomfortable Shiva

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The plot of the comedy "Shalom, Daddy" focuses on the eccentric young student Danielle. She is forced to get out of awkward situations at the Jewish commemoration of Shiva (this is a Jewish funeral ceremony with relatives after the funeral in the house of the deceased). Daniel is stressed from meeting a squad of curious and unceremonious relatives, ex-girlfriend, lover's wife and lover (daddy) himself, who turns out to be a family friend. The entire film Shalom Daddy (2020) directed by Emma Seligman is like a panic attack. Let's find out why.

The beginning of Shiva

Daniel is a gender studies specialist, bisexual and feminist who lies to everyone about her babysitting and sleeps with men for money. She does this not so much out of a lack of finance (parents pay all her bills in full), but out of an interest in developing sexual skills, and, perhaps, just out of boredom. The girl does not like family gatherings, but, ironically, she is forced to attend just such an event, at a Jewish funeral.

“I sympathize with you. Yes, it's very sad. She was so full of life,”says Daniel, immediately asking his mother:“Who died at all?” It perfectly captures the film's atmosphere, uncomfortable, unsettling and claustrophobic.

Confined space and panic

Parents and relatives literally choke the main character with uncomfortable questions. She has to listen to advice about the groom, study and work, memories of childhood. The topic of her thinness worries everyone no less.

“You are like a starving Gwyneth Paltrow. And not in a good way. Did you know Aunt Oz says you have anorexia? - Mom keeps repeating to her.

Danielle becomes extremely uncomfortable with the presence on Shiva of her ex-girlfriend Maya, a successful lawyer. Daniel and Maya argue with each other and try to prick. But only the blind will not notice the chemistry between the girls. Their ostentatious hostility cannot hide a painful mutual affection.

The cherry on top of the main character's inner panic cake is the unexpected appearance of the main character, Max, at the “daddy's” memorial service. And then his young wife comes with a child. Daniel's anxiety escalates into chaos, and the atmosphere heats up by the minute. The girl rushes about like a bird in a cage, ashamed of her secret, as if something prevents her from simply picking up and leaving.

The film "Shalom, Daddy" was shot in chamber, in the same room. This technique is ideal for revealing a character who is trying to accept the situation and himself, as well as understand who he is.

Throughout the entire viewing, the discomfort experienced by the main character is felt. It is as if she cannot leave this house, which is teeming with relatives with hypocritical smiles and questions. Questions make you sweat, ashamed, and lie on the go. Her face is like a blank sheet of paper, animated by wit, longing, anger, confusion and indignation. Musical accompaniment increases the feeling of anxiety.

Towards the end of the film, Emma Seligman collides secular and religious. The whole action turned into a carefully rehearsed ritual: feigned smiles, insipid jokes, routine condolences.

Director's word

Probably, each of us at least once in our life got into a stupid situation. The director of the film, Emma Seligman, admitted that her goal was to convey to women that they are not alone when they are trying to cope with strange and ridiculous circumstances:

“When I wrote and rewrote the script, when I shot and edited the film, I never forgot what I was doing it for. I even wrote a leitmotif on my desktop: "I want to let girls in a stupid or unpleasant situation understand that they are not alone."

The story of the heroine will definitely be a reason for the viewer to smile! And someone, perhaps, will be inspired to useful thoughts and reflection. Second paragraph