Fiddler on the Roof is one of those films that manages to transcend its genre. It deals with incredibly complicated issues of religion, tradition, and identity. The film revolves around a poor Jewish man named Tevye who has to come to terms with his changing world in the face of ever-growing tensions in his little village of Anatevka. Judaism is a crucial element of the story, as the characters' faith informs every aspect of town like. But it also deals with characters who are struggling with the decision to accept or reject all of the tenets of their religion. His daughters alone show the different degrees to which people embrace their cultural traditions. His oldest daughter Tzeitel marries within the faith, but she makes waves by choosing her own husband rather than relying on a matchmaker. Second daughter Hodel goes one step further -- she doesn't even ask for permission to marry (she instead asks for her father's blessing to marry Perchik, a young Jewish revolutionary). But third daughter Chava is the one who really challenges Tevye's belief system when she elopes with a Christian. Comprising between tradition and progress is always a balancing act, and Tevye would say that it's as precarious a position as a fiddler on the roof.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
