Yidl in the Middle
Producer – Marlene Booth
57 minutes, 1998
In Distribution
Yidl in the Middle is a personal documentary which examines what it was like to grow up Jewish in Des Moines, Iowa in the 50s and 60s. In this evocative, entertaining film, filmmaker Marlene Booth probes her Iowa-Jewish roots. Through home movies, period photos, her high school reunion, and current interviews, she examines the complicated process of negotiating identity – as an American, a Jew, and a woman.
“This fascinating exploration of how religion, tradition, community, and family affect a young woman’s development is a MUST SEE or classes in education, psychology, and American Studies.”
- Mary Brabeck, Dean School of Education, Boston College“This extraordinary film is not only about growing up Jewish in cornbelt America…It is universally relevant to all of us as we find our places in a world of others.”
- Phil Brown, Professor of Sociology, Brown University
Screenings and awards include: Jewish Video Competition (First Prize); USA Film Festival (Finalist); Jerusalem Film festival, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Jewish Film Festivals (Boston, San Diego, Washington).
Major funding was provided by Humanities Iowa, the Fred Maytag Family Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the Joseph and Diane Steinberg Foundation.