JIFF: The Shoshani Riddle

The Story

Australian Premiere

“So extraordinary that your jaw is almost guaranteed to drop several times while watching.” - YNet

A fascinating documentary produced over the course of ten years, attempting to uncover the mystery of the enigmatic genius known as ‘Mr Shoshani’.

Mysterious, eccentric, and unkempt, the nomad known as Mr. Shoshani (among half a dozen other aliases), was a teacher and scholar of such brilliance that he attracted disciples like Nobel Prize winner Eli Weisel and philosopher Emmanuel Levinas. Shoshani’s teachings about the bible, the Talmud, philosophy, literature and many other subjects struck all those who he encountered, but the basic facts of his life were shrouded in mystery, leaving the polyglot scholar a riddle to be solved.

Director Michael Grynszpan developed an obsession with Shoshani, devoting a decade of his life to making the film and traversing the globe to interview those who knew him. The result is a gripping real-life mystery, as Grynszpan attempts to track down Shoshani’s lost manuscripts and the teachings revealed within.

Festivals and Awards
Winner - Best Documentary Award, Israel Film Critics Union, 2023
Nominee - Best Documentary, Haifa International Film Festival, 2023

Rating

Unclassified 15+

Duration

88 min

Director

Michael Grynszpan