Benya Krik
In the Jewish area of Moldavanka in Odessa, local gangster king Benya Krik rules with an iron fist. When the Russian Revolution begins, the local commissioner attempts to put Krik’s gang to work as a revolutionary regiment, and Krik ultimately finds himself ensnared in a Bolshevik trap where mystery and intrigue ensue.
Features live musical accompaniment by Peter Freisinger. Introduction by Sharon Pucker Rivo & Lisa Rivo, co-directors of The National Center for Jewish Film.
Vladimir Vilner’s classic film is set in the Jewish area of Moldavanka in Odessa, where the local gangster king Benya Krik rules with an iron fist. Based on the real-life gangster Mishka “Mike the Jap” Vinnitsky, Krik revels in murder and leverages his power into tremendous profit. When the Russian Revolution begins, the local commissioner attempts to put Krik’s gang to work as a revolutionary regiment, complete with tattooed red stars. Ultimately, Krik finds himself ensnared in a Bolshevik trap—and mystery and intrigue ensue. Restoration and English intertitles by the National Center for Jewish Film.
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