The Tribe 
| Directed by: | Tiffany Shlain |
|---|---|
| Written by: | Tiffany Shlain, Ken Goldberg |
| Starring: | Peter Coyote, Vanessa Hidary |
| Country: | U S A |
| Created: | 2006 |
| Runtime: | 18 min. |
| Also Listed In: |
Rhode Island International Film Festival 2007 Independent Vision Competition |
| Member: | Tiffany |
|
Average rating: 4.69 by 26 users
Film Description:
Synopsis
What can the most successful doll on the planet show us about being Jewish today? Narrated by Peter Coyote, the film mixes old school narration with a new school visual style. The Tribe weaves together archival footage, graphics, animation, Barbie dioramas, and slam poetry to take audiences on an electric ride through the complex history of both the Barbie doll and the Jewish people- from Biblical times to present day. By tracing Barbie's history, the film sheds light on what it means to be an American Jew in the 21st Century.
Forms: Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Narrative Fiction, Short
Animation Techniques: 2D Computer, Animated Objects, Experimental, Mixed Media
Genres: Alternative, Comedy, Educational, Religious, Avant-garde, Coming of Age , Deconstruction, Human Rights, Independent, Post Modern, Spoof, War/Peace, Mockumentary, Satire, Reality, Culture, Art, Hip Hop, Spiritual
Niches: Christian, Gay/Lesbian, Islamic, Jewish, Women, Student, Youth/Teen, Mature/Adult, Buddhist
Screenings & Events
Sundance FIlm Festival
Film Festival
Park City, U S A
January 2006
Cast & Crew
Carlton Evands (Associate Producer), Tiffany Shlain (Director, Executive Producer)
WritingKen Goldberg (Writer (1st Project)), Tiffany Shlain (Writer)
PerformancePeter Coyote (Lead Actor), Vanessa Hidary (Lead Actor)
CameraSophie Constantinou (Cinematographer/DP)
Art DepartmentGil Gershoni (Art Director)
Post ProductionDave Nelson (Sound Editor), Tiffany Shlain (Picture Editor)
MusicPaul Godwin (Original Music/Composer)
RepresentationJill Feldman (Publicist), Patrick Kowalczyk (Publicist)
We are all headed there tomorrow.
Our opening night screening sold out in a nyc minute. which is a goog thing. Having an after party. If you are reading this and live in nyc, please join us ..you can find out info at:
http://www.tribethefilm.com/tribeca06.html
Hung over...but very happy.
So true. I am loving self-distributing the Tribe.
All the technologies are finally here to do it.
So excited to learn we were selected at The Tribeca Film Festival.
Rock & Roll*
Ratings
mazik62194
I saw it with my grade at school andwe all loved it! It is extremely informative and it is also very funny (Hind-Jew, etc.). I am going to tell all of my friends about it. If my parents let me, I want to buy a copy of it.
dkfromla
A friend just sent me the link to your Barbie video. I was genuinely moved...and entertained! I have promised myself to show it to my two daughters, who live in our mostly assimilated household.
JoMoDo
This film embraces the concept that brevity is the soul of wit. In doing so, it address's a myriad of topics in such an effective manner to force personal reflection, stimulate discussion, perpetuate education, all while empowering the viewer.
Aviva-Vida
Now, this is what I'm talking about. This film does more than to enlighten the non-Jew abut the different "flavors" (sabores) we Jews come in! I have never seen anyone do it better than "The Tribe" Next time some "Okie" tells me "You don't look Jewish" I'll direct the "Red-Neck" to this film. Thank you for creating a way for us Jews to display our ethnicity without having to exhaust myself into explaining what a Jew is or what he-she looks like. We look like everybody!!!!!
Jewishprince
Tiffany Shlain is the Queen when it comes to bringing substance to the table in concert with grace and humor.
Dalan
Very relevant to all Americans today, especially those who aren't members, like me. A joy to watch and work on.
sfmicki
Smart, funny, great imagery, informative. A great tool to help understand each other and ourselves.
Rerun
Some pretty funny parts. The Barbie thing is a little overdone but worth watching all the same.
26 Comments about The Tribe
Mar 08, 2008 12:09PM
Beautifully done, but harmful to the human race. First we must agree on the definition of human.
Oct 26, 2007 10:38AM
One of my friend’s just fwd’d me a link to view your short video. As a young Jew growing up in an assimilated society, I thought it was amazing, it touched on all the points of being Jewish that I "Israel" with everyday. I also thought it was a little redundant and got confusing when talking about all the tribes, sub tribes, sub tribes,
ect.. But the premise of Jewish history and Barbie together was quite interesting. All in all I am recommending that everybody watch it, because as a young Jew, I struggle with my Jewish ness everyday.
Regards,
Aaron Epstein
Westrock Insurance Agency
Office:(845)638-2300
Fax: (845)638-6222
E-mail: Aaron@westrockinsurance.com
Oct 26, 2007 10:37AM
One of my friend’s just fwd’d me a link to view your short video. As a young Jew growing up in an assimilated society, I thought it was amazing, it touched on all the points of being Jewish that I "Israel" with everyday. I also thought it was a little redundant and got confusing when talking about all the tribes, sub tribes, sub tribes, ect.. But the premise of Jewish history and Barbie together was quite interesting. All in all I am recommending that everybody watch it, because as a young Jew, I struggle with my Jewish ness everyday.
Regards,
Aaron Epstein
Westrock Insurance Agency
Office:(845)638-2300
Fax: (845)638-6222
E-mail: Aaron@westrockinsurance.com
Oct 07, 2007 03:22PM
This film was honestly incredible. I have seen it three times. The first two at a convention and then second at a normal class. Each time it stirs fascinating conversations and it really leaves you with a ton of thoughts.
Oct 04, 2007 09:12AM
yes
Oct 04, 2007 09:12AM
Yes this film yes
Oct 03, 2007 10:41PM
Congratulations, Tiffany...I'm going to download it right now..can't wait! looks hilarious. Melinda
May 23, 2007 11:08AM
I was able to borrow a copy of the Tribe for a few weeks and saw it at least five times before a discussion group; we had a Barbie cake as our refreshment for the group meeting. I have gone for two months without watching it and so am in withdrawal............and just ordered two copies for myself and to give as a gift. This is one of the best short, documentary films I've ever seen.
Apr 23, 2007 08:51PM
I loved this documentary! Not only was it educational, but it was directed and edited in a very creative way.
Jan 16, 2007 11:58AM
If you would like to see my film TRACES, the full film is now is temporarily available for free online. For the link, go to my TRACES blog.
Jan 10, 2007 08:24AM
What an original film!
Picturing the world in terms of tribes was a good way to discuss ideas about identity. And doing that through Barbie was a brilliant, indeed an astonishing idea.
A well crafted thought provoking film, which is also funny and informative. I liked it a lot.
Dec 05, 2006 12:25PM
A very enlightening movie. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
One thing I keep in mind: While it is true that our historical experience is laden with horrific periods and events (keeping in mind the calendar visual), it is also true that inbetween many of those times there were periods of harmony between Jews and other peoples. In my outlook for the future, at least the future I can have some control over, I wish for the peaceful, tolerant aspects of all cultures to be dominant, and I will work to pursue this.
But just for fun, do we all know what has happened to Barbie and Ken?
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/12/offbeat.barbie.breakup.ap/
Since it appears that Ken did not seek marriage, I would recommend a site for those who do not wish a too-prolonged single life:
http://www.motivatedtomarry.com
Sep 25, 2006 10:01PM
Boy do I really wanna see this!
Sep 13, 2006 10:50PM
Barbie is a Bleached Brunette porn doll.
Sep 13, 2006 10:50PM
Barbie is a Bleached Brunette porn doll.
Jun 16, 2006 02:46PM
Great looking site
May 21, 2006 06:22PM
Hi Tiffany
Your film looks really great. We're looking forward to seeing it sometime in Australia. Let us know if you happen to have a screening coming up anytime soon. Best of luck:)
May 16, 2006 05:06AM
Tiffany,
I was on a panel today for the IDA at Kodak in Hollywood. It was a really fun panel. Peter Broderick moderated and sitting on the panel were Ted Sarandos, Cheif Content Officer, Netflix; Valerie Meraz, Director of Program Acquisitions, SHOWTIME; Jason Meil, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Acquisitions, CURRENT TV; Eva Ho, Product Manager, GOOGLE.
It was well attended by Documentary Filmmakers. I used your film and how you are marketing it as an example of unique ways filmmakers are getting their films out to the world and their audiences. I also suggested they check your site out.
IF any of you are reading this who attended the IDA panel on Monday, please register here on Tiffany's site and show your support for Tiffany, it will help increase her Audience base as I am sure you would want the support when you set up your own film as well.
Apr 20, 2006 03:05PM
Really looking forward to showing at The Tribeca Film Festival. NYC is like a second home to me so it will be great to bring it there....
Please join us at our afterparty on April 26th...all the details are on the calendar section of the site.
Apr 19, 2006 10:09AM
Haven't seen the film yet, but it sounds great. I've been performing a show for a number of years -- the Barbie Oedipus--that tells the story of Oedipus Rex in 12 minutes using Barbie dolls as actors. I can't wait to see your film!
Apr 19, 2006 10:07AM
Haven't seen the film yet-- but I love the concept. One of the shows that I've been doing as part of my work as a perfomer is the Barbie Oedipus--Oedipus Rex in 12 minutes using Barbie dolls (and other 12
Apr 06, 2006 06:33PM
I'm a 5th Year Rabbinical student in Los Angeles - I've seen
Mar 30, 2006 10:29PM
Tiffany, The film was excellent and so was the evening. You said we should continue the discussion here... so I'm interested in knowing if you often get people telling you that they identified with the film - I mean it just seems that you can identify with it if your are Orthodox, conservative, reformed.. where ever you fall in the spectrum. You're entire team really did such a great job. I will recommend this film to everyone I know.
Mar 22, 2006 11:47AM
"The Tribe" makes brilliant use of an american icon to raise meaningful questions about the importance and downfalls of identity.
Mar 16, 2006 02:28PM
This wonderful film moved me so much and has changed how I listen to talk about secular vs observant Jews. We're all part of the TRIBE.
Mar 15, 2006 08:18PM
I really learned a lot about my own Jewish history from watching this film:)*
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