•• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • STAR-CROSS'D LOVERS from page 67 • Art Glass & Pottery • Bakelite • China • Compacts • Crystal • Depression Glass • Fiestaware Film warns of assimilation, anti-Semitism. MICHAEL FOX Special to the Jewish News A dreamy, haunting fairy tale of European anti-Semitism in thel9th century, Simon Magus offers poetry and prayer as an antidote to madness. Yet as we know from the Holocaust, which casts a shadow like a thunder- cloud over this ambitious and unset- tling British film, sometimes nothing can calm the insanity. The wild card is a poor Jewish beggar named Simon (Noah Taylor, who played the young David Helfgott in Shine). Alternately pitied, feared and reviled by his Jewish neighbors, Simon isn't even counted as a man by the rabbi. But he's also delusional, given to visions of the devil (Ian Holm). When Simon is mistreated by the Jews, the devil instructs him to visit the gentile part of town, find the church and convert to Christianity. The desperate, lunatic Simon — who has a memorable late-night encounter with a demonic train — is richly sym- bolic, but just what he represents will spark most of the post-movie discussion. Is writer-director Ben Hopkins hint- ing that assimilation provides no guar- antee of protection from anti-Semites? Or perhaps he's suggesting that our enemies can't do their work without the help of some Jews. Indeed, the last sound in the movie, as the music fades at the end of the credits, is steel wheels on track: the dirge of the transports. Perhaps Hopkins is so audacious as to imagine Simon as a metaphor for God. Near the end of the film, as Simon walks alone in the dark, the other characters feel the wind rising but see nothing. While Simon Magus falls just short of profundity, it deserves -- much like one of the squire's poems — to be experi- enced, savored and debated. El Simon Magus, which played this year at the JCC's Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival, will be screened 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, by the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts. $6. (313) 833-3237. • ,4 1.4 . 44puos ch • • • aho • • • • • • • • • • • 30 dealers offering a variety of quality antiques & collectibles, estate and vintage jewelry, unique gifts and bridal registry Ironstone • • • ; Handbags • 'Simon Magus' • • Furniture • • • • Flow Blue • Guild (ATAG). Now in its fifth year, ATAG is the only Arab American theater group in town, and does both English and Arabic perform- ances. Working with the Jewish communi- ty posed a problem for some in the Arab community, but, after dis- cussing what JET was up to, the ATAG board decided whatever the risk was, it was worth it. Alcodray's theater work brings him in contact with many in the Jewish and other theater communities, and they all try to assist each other. ATAG was asked to help make the produc- tion as authentic as possible, and acted as host at the Sept. 16 session at ACCESS. "If we didn't get involved, we couldn't impact on how Arab culture was presented," Alcodray said. ATAG board member Karim Alrawi of Dearborn agreed. was at the Seeds of Peace dinner and it was sold out; they had to turn people away," said Alrawi, who took that as a sign that "there is a sizable percentage in both communities who want to move forward." He sees it as a process of trust. And he appreciated the trust JET showed in ATAG when the Jewish theater group asked for help. "Now more than ever, this produc- tion is necessary," Alcodray adds. "Not just for the sake of the produc- tion, but for the sake of our commu- nities." But as Arab and Jew, and as all Americans, struggle to make sense of what has, and is, happening, the old theater adage applies: "The show must go on. "Ver veist — who knew — all this would be happening?" said the irre- pressible Orbach. "But the more it heats up, the more we have to do it. "The tragedy is mind-boggling, but if we join hands, maybe we can make a - bigger noise than the World Trade Center toppling down." ❑ • Costume, Fine, Vintage & Sterling Jewelry • Lighting • Linens • • Sterling Silver Are you interested in selling some of your treasures? We accept consignments, purchase outright and conduct estate sales! Majolica Monday-Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm Sundays: 11:00pm-5:00pm • Toys • Vintage Clothing • Vintage Telephones • Watches & Pocket • Watches 115 South Main Street Royal Oak, MI 248.545.4663 • •• • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • riareeefOre WYV.44.044MOMNSOMMMTNEMPAMORNIRMOSWAEMES16MIPMe 29556 Orchard Lake Rd. 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