The Light Ahead (1939)

The Light Ahead is possibly the greatest of Edgar G Ulmers shtetl films Here the director counterpoints his pastoral Green Fields to criticize the poverty and superstition that oppress a pair of starcrossed lovers Made on the eve of World War II The Light Ahead is at once romantic expressionist and painfully conscious of the danger about to engulf European Jews Impoverished and disabled lovers Fishke and Hodel dream of life in the big city of Odessa free from the poverty and stifling oldworld prejudices of the shtetl The benevolent and enlightened bookseller Mendele helps them turning smalltown superstitions to their advantage Based on Mendele Mokher Seforims story of love frustrated by smalltown ignorance this luminous allegory of escape marries Edgar Ulmers masterful direction with superb acting by members of New Yorks Artef and Yiddish Art Theaters