Wednesday, 5 November 2025 - 00:00
Director: Michael Grynszpan
Documentary, 86 min, Israel (2023)
IN COMPETITION
V.O. Hebrew, English, French, S.T. English
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEBINAR
Guest:
Michael Grynszpan - Director
Speaker:
Gérard Buzaglo - Co-chair of the festival
Nominated for the Lys d’Orof Best documentary
This fascinating documentary, the result of a ten-year quest, sheds light on the enigmatic life of “Monsieur Shoshani,” a nomadic genius, polyglot, and extraordinary teacher who at times lived on the streets and spoke in nearly thirty languages. Through interviews with Elie Wiesel, Emmanuel Levinas, and visits to France, Uruguay, and Italy, the film explores the legend and intellectual legacy of one of the 20th century’s great mysteries.
DIRECTOR
Michael Grynszpan, a French-Israeli director based in Tel Aviv, spent over a decade traveling the world to trace the footsteps of Monsieur Shoshani. An accomplished documentarian (The Forgotten Refugees), he brings a personal dimension to this film, appearing on screen as he immerses himself in the mystery.
AWARDS
- Israel Film Critics Association 2023: Best Documentary Award
- Selection at Haifa International Film Festival 2023 (Documentary competition)
- World Premiere at the Berlinale EFM 2024
PRESS REVIEW
“Documentary ‘The Shoshani Riddle’ takes KAN 11”
The Jerusalem Post (May 2024)
“A fascinating documentary … jaw-dropping mystery…”
Ynet (Screening at JIFF)
“‘The Shoshani Riddle’: This Israeli documentary is more suspenseful than any Agatha Christie adaptation.”
Yael Shuv, Time Out
“The Shoshani Riddle, world premiere at the Haifa International Film Festival”
Haïfa Film Festival
“The Shoshani Riddle has become a cult film.”
Hannah Brown, The Jerusalem Post
“Interview of Michael Grynszpan on the documentary The Shoshani Riddle”
Radio Judaica
“The Will is Man’s Only Property: A Reading of a Short Passage from Mr. Shoshani”
thelehrhaus.com