Lies My Father Told Me

Set in the 1920s Jewish immigrant community of Montreal, this long unavailable Oscar-nominated 1975 Canadian film directed by Ján Kadár has aged relatively well, telling a potent universal story of old-versus-new-world values. Just as Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi vied for influence over Luke Skywalker, young David (Jeffrey Lynas) is growing up in a household with two authority figures: assimilated, entrepreneurial father Harry (Len Birman), whose get-rich ideas include creaseless pants; and grandfather Zaida (Yossi Yadin), who—much to Harry's embarrassment—still works the neighborhoods peddling wares in his horse and buggy. In reality, it's no contest, since David is devoted to his warm and wise granddad, who regales his grandson with folklore and discussions about God as they ride together. Featuring both the English and French versions of the film, extras include a “making-of” featurette. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)