Community
Film-maker’s grandparents are Liverpool movie stars
Jewish student Olivia Barnett-Brown won a Royal Television Society award for her Chanukah documentary
March 17, 2023 14:36
Jewish student Olivia Barnett-Brown won a Royal Television Society award for her Chanukah documentary
March 17, 2023 14:36In just over 12 minutes, Olivia Barnett-Brown’s lovingly crafted documentary film, To Challah on the Table, gives an instant snapshot of the Liverpool Jewish community.
Focusing on her grandparents, Rubin and Estelle Samuels, the film has won a Royal Television Society prize — best student factual film in the RTS North East and Border Student Awards.
And although her grandfather died before she received her award, he did see the rough cut and loved it, she says.
Ms Barnett-Brown, 22, graduated from Newcastle University last summer with a degree in film practices.
Her film follows Rubin and Estelle, both in their 80s, as they celebrate Chanukah in Liverpool towards the end of lockdown.
The diminutive Estelle, originally from Northern Ireland, and her very tall husband — a native Liverpudlian — exchange banter with each other and people from the community, where they are obviously great favourites. We also get to see the film-maker’s great-aunt Kay, a scarcely believable 93, as the three sit down to a Friday night meal.
As the only Jew on her course, Ms Barnett-Brown said she received great encouragement from her tutors, who were keen to have a student show a different aspect of religion and culture.
“They warned me that perhaps my grandparents would put on a performance for the camera, or try to interact with me. But I followed them around for three days and they were amazing in front of the camera. They forgot I was there, which was just what I wanted.”
Having set out to make a film about the Jewish community, “my grandparents are such characters that I realised I wanted to make the film about them.
“My grandmother came to the awards ceremony with me and had a really lovely time. It meant a lot to win the award with her there.”
During their working lives, Rubin ran a small deli while Estelle was an efficient office administrator. The two personalities are so different in the film. He is slow and deliberate; she is a ball of energy, dancing in the snow at the outdoor Chanukah celebrations.
Ms Barnett-Brown, whose home is in Edinburgh, added laughing that she takes after her grandmother.
As a result of the RTS award, her film will automatically be entered into the society’s national best student factual category later this year. Now she has graduated, she has applied for a master’s degree but definitely wants to make more films about Jewish communities.
“I love the community aspect. Someone’s always got your back; will have you for dinner. I think that’s amazing, especially for elderly people.”