Just in time for Purim 2014 comes "The Reveal", an all new music video that takes a giant leap forward in Jewish cinematography, turning back the clock to the golden age of cinema.
Starring Lipa Schmeltzer and Ari Lesser and featuring Zvika Bornstein as none other than Charlie Chaplin, The Reveal takes a look back in time at Purim of the past in order to drive home an important lesson.
"There is a famous Jewish law that if you read the Megilla backwards, you are did not fulfill the mitzvah of Megilla," explained producer and director Danny Finkelman. "The Chasidic interpretation of that statement is that if you think the story of Purim is something that happened back in the day, then you have missed the whole point of Purim. Just like G-d's name isn't mentioned in the Megilla, but his presence can be felt throughout the story of Purim, so too, G-d continues to be with us today, every day of our lives."
Featuring an original composition by Cecelia Margules and music by Ruli Ezrachi, The Reveal has a distinctly retro feel, enforcing the timelessness of Purim and all that it teaches us.
"Maybe we don't feel G-d's presence in our everyday lives or maybe we only feel that connection on Yom Kippur at Neilah, but it is there, every single day," says Lipa.
A fun, feel good video that embodies the true spirit of Purim and emphasizes its eternal relevance, The Reveal is a Sparks Next production.
I know, I should have run this video seven weeks ago during Chanuka, but for some reason it didn't pop up then (perhaps because it's a year old, but I wasn't listening to or posting music videos then). Anyway, here's Lipa Schmelzer with Believe in a miracle.
Here's a video of a Simchas Beis HaShoeva from two years ago, which was sponsored by a group called Pitchon Lev (Open Heart) at Tel HaShomer Hospital featuring Lip Schmeltzer.
In a futuristic take on his hit song Hang Up The Phone from his blockbuster album Leap of Faith, superstar Lipa Schmeltzer teams up with producer and director Danny Finkelman to tackle our generation's ever growing infatuation with gadgets head on, in a music video that is equal parts science fiction and practical advice for today's technologically obsessed society.
In an almost other worldly dream, Lipa becomes one of a group of newly delivered high tech robots that come to life after hours at the Boro Park branch of the The Buzz, an appliance and housewares superstore. The robots' fascination with electronics is evident as they test out gadgets, both large and small, and dance their way through the store.
Hang Up The Phone is an original Lipa composition and the sixth track on the newly released Leap of Faith album, with hard hitting lyrics in both English and Yiddish, written by Lipa.
At just over six minutes long, the video offers a light hearted look at what we become when we spend more time interacting with our electronics than with our families and the people around us.
A SparksNext Production, Finkelman and cinematographer Mauricio Arenas breathe life into Hang Up The Phone, creating a presentation that will inspire viewers to strike the necessary balance, enabling them to take advantage of today's technology in a responsible manner.
Let's go to the videotape (Hat Tip: The Beguiling Avigayil - Daughter # 1, Child # 1).
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
