In 1492, with the stroke of a pen, fifteen hundred years of Jewish life in Spain came to an abrupt end. In a Medival example of ethnic cleansing, the Jews of Spain were given a choice: expulsion or conversion. Half the community left, half converted. Many of the converted, known as Conversos, continued to practive Judaism in secret establishing a way of life that has survived to the present day.
Shot on location in Spain, Portugal, Israel, Canada, and the United States, this documentary tells the story of the Conversos and the memories that still haunt their descendants. Beautifully photographed and edited, the film features a lyrical Spanish/Sephardic soundtrack by some of the world's leading artists, including Placido Domingo, Zubin Metha and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Through extensive interviews with the children of secret believers, the film captures the modern resurrection of something ethereal: the ghost of a people.
"A beautiful-looking film... an original and informative look at a remarkably rich and universal human story."
- John Haslett Cuff, The Globe and Mail
"A vibrant and up-to-date examination of the timeless search cfor religious identity."
- Henry Mietkiewicz, The Toronto Star
The National Center For Jewish Film
Brandeis University, Lown 102, MS053, Waltham MA 02454
P: (781) 899 7044, F: (781) 736 2070
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