This deeply meditative film by Aaron Wolf explores faith, family, community, memory, the legacy of the past, the impermanence of life, possibilities and the importance of conserving and restoring places of worship.
It's not only a personal documentary rooted within the backstory of its director Aaron Wolf and three generations of his family but the story of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, the oldest Jewish congregation in Los Angeles, California and a place of worship to former Hollywood studio moguls.
Wolf beautifully reveals the story of the temple and its history, its meaning to past, present and future congregants and its conservation against the wider phenomenon of historic houses of workshop closing their doors across the globe due to falling enrollment and a decline in religious affiliation.
Wolf juxtaposes the narrative of his family's history against the narrative of Wilshire Boulevard Temple. He weaves together many visual elements which include first personal interviews, archival film and video footage spanning many decades, Super 8 home movies, narration, first-person interviews, photography stills, and superimposed images to create an insightful documentary. Close ups and medium angles shots are interspersed with wide angle shots, and aerial shots and the film incorporates both interior and exterior footage shot over an extended period of time at various locations which add complexity to his documentary. By juxtaposing the narrative of his family and self against the backstory and future of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Wolf creates dramatic tension that moves the film.
The film includes interviews with a distinguished cast of spiritual leaders and professionals who weigh in and present a multiplicity of viewpoints shining a light on its historic relevance, its conservation and restoration, and the impact a closure would have to the community framing the documentary in a broader social context.
Restoring Faith resonated with me on many levels especially on the importance of faith, family and community, and shines a light on the importance of conserving the past and historic places of worship. The documentary is a labor of love and is a beautiful memoir not only of the temple and its spiritual leaders but also of the Wolf family. It is a well-crafted film with much depth and explores the meaningful topic of conserving the past. Wolf has succeeded in creating an intimate portrait of Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
