Heeb

In Heeb‘s summer issue, David Berman spoke about his fraught relationship with Israel. Now, Michael Tully’s stirring new film Silver Jew (DVD released by Drag City) follows Berman and the band during their 2006 summer tour through Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Like many songs in the Silver Jews’ repertoire ("I Remember", "Horselegged Swastikas," "Strange Victory, Strange Defeat"), the film tends to lodge itself in events past — the frontman’s rowdy drug days, in particular. But if Berman is haunted by his past in Silver Jew, he’s possessed by his present — as an artist relating to his audience as a spiritual being. If seeing is believing, Berman is a changed man.

Silver Jew follows a collection of long-hairs and beards and Berman’s wife Cassie on the band’s first tour in Silver Jews’ history. At the beginning of the film, we watch them apprehensively planning and then we jump to footage of Berman’s lazy, enthralling stage show in Tel Aviv. Brow furrowed and arms crossed as if in deep reflection, Berman mesmerizes the Israeli kids who sing along and hop in unison to the lethargic rhythm.

As the film enters its Jerusalem portion, Berman grows moody and pensive, even shedding tears over a prayer. Berman’s wordy poetic philosophizing and many cathartic moments convey the sensation of severe growing pains. He’s engaging and magnetic, though the fabrication of an acceptable public persona is something of a trial for him. It means coming to terms with himself.

DVD extras include a carefree Berman and wife strolling, arms linked, through the narrow aisle of a local market set to the sounds of the Silver Jews, and hotel party footage chock-full of silly dance moves. These lighthearted moments are a teaspoon full of sugar in a bittersweet brew.

Silver Jew captures Berman at the challenging crossroads of addressing himself and his public. For longtime listeners, a new era begins.