In 1492, with the stroke of a pen, fifteen hundred years of Jewish life in Spain came to an abrupt end. In a Medival example of ethnic cleansing, the Jews of Spain were given a choice: expulsion or conversion. Half the community left, half converted. Many of the converted, known as Conversos, continued to practive Judaism in secret establishing a way of life that has survived to the present day.

Shot on location in Spain, Portugal, Israel, Canada, and the United States, this documentary tells the story of the Conversos and the memories that still haunt their descendants. Beautifully photographed and edited, the film features a lyrical Spanish/Sephardic soundtrack by some of the world's leading artists, including Placido Domingo, Zubin Metha and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Through extensive interviews with the children of secret believers, the film captures the modern resurrection of something ethereal: the ghost of a people.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

"A beautiful-looking film... an original and informative look at a remarkably rich and universal human story."
- John Haslett Cuff, The Globe and Mail

"A vibrant and up-to-date examination of the timeless search cfor religious identity."
- Henry Mietkiewicz, The Toronto Star

PURCHASE DVD

HOME USE ONLY $36.00 plus shipping Home Use Only DVD (Not for Classroom/Institutional Use) Does not include Public Performance Rights Home Use Policy (pdf)

INSTITUTIONAL USE $72.00 plus shipping Classroom/Institutional Use Only DVD Does not include Public Performance Rights Institutional Use Policy (pdf)

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The National Center For Jewish Film Brandeis University, Lown 102, MS053, Waltham MA 02454 P: (781) 899 7044, F: (781) 736 2070

Expulsion and Memory:
Descendants of the Hidden Jews

Canada, 1996, 60 minutes Color
Directed by Simcha Jacobovici & Roger Pyke

$72 Institutional Use DVD
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$36 Home Use DVD
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Public Exhibition Beta Rental also available