Watch The Shvitz

The Shvitz is a documentary film released in 1993, directed and produced by Jonathan Berman. It focuses on the world of the Russian Bathhouse, also known as the shvitz, located in the heart of Manhattan. The film explores the social, cultural, and historical significance of the shvitz, both to New York City and to the Jewish community. Through the lens of the shvitz, the film examines broader themes such as immigration, assimilation, and the changing landscape of urban America.

The movie begins by introducing the viewers to the shvitz, a unique cultural institution that was once ubiquitous in the Jewish neighborhoods of New York City. It was a place where people of all walks of life could gather, relax, and socialize. The shvitz was more than just a bathhouse, it was a community center, a place for men to talk, play cards and chess, and even nap.

The film's first half is a kind of visual tour of the shvitz. We see men coming in and out, changing into towels, and then proceeding to the various rooms with different levels of heat. The shvitz was a place where men could sweat out their stress, detoxify their bodies, and socialize at the same time. It was a place where they could be themselves.

As the film progresses, we meet a wide range of shvitz regulars, each with their own unique stories and personalities. There's the middle-aged man who's been going to the shvitz for decades, and who sees it as a vital part of his identity. There are the younger men who are new to the shvitz, but who are fascinated by its history and culture. And then there are the Russian immigrants who have come to the shvitz to find a sense of community and connection in their new country.

Throughout the film, we learn about the shvitz's history through interviews with historians and experts in Jewish culture. We also learn about the shvitz's role in the lives of its regulars, and how it serves as a kind of refuge from the stresses and pressures of modern life.

One of the film's most interesting themes is the idea of assimilation. The shvitz is a place where Russian immigrants can feel connected to their culture, but it's also a place where they can learn American customs and habits. We see the way that the shvitz has adapted over time to the changing needs of its clientele, adding new services like massage and acupuncture.

As the film draws to a close, we see the ways in which the shvitz is struggling to survive in a rapidly changing world. Real estate developers are buying up the surrounding neighborhood, and the shvitz's future is uncertain. But even as the shvitz faces the threat of closure, the film shows us the resilience of the people who love it. We see the bonds of community that have been forged in the heat and steam of the shvitz, and the way that the people who come there have become like family to one another.

Overall, The Shvitz is an engaging and insightful documentary that provides a glimpse into a unique cultural institution that is rapidly disappearing from the city's landscape. It's a celebration of an important piece of New York City's history, and a window into the ways in which immigrant communities have shaped the city's culture and identity over the years.

The Shvitz is a 1993 documentary with a runtime of 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.