Are you on the inside or the ouside?

Today my brother, Jamie, sent me a link to one of the films on the Sundance Film Festival website.
I asked, "What is this?"
He responds, "It's about Barbie and the Jewish people. It's called 'The Tribe'."
Seeing that Barbie and I go way back and I'm in the Tribe, I was, without a doubt, intrigued.
What did my little plastic W.A.S.P. childhood friend have to do with Jews?

As I wait for the film to buffer on my Mac, I read the incredibly short and vague description:
"An unorthodox, unauthorized of the Jewish people and the Barbie doll."
Using the template found in forwarded mass emails (I think my father sent me that one), the narrator begins by equating planet Earth to a tribe of 100 people. Within said tribe, there would be 60 Asians, 14 North and South Americans, 13, Africans, and 12 Europeans. 30 tribe members would be Christian, 18 would be Muslims, there would be 13 Hindus, 6 Buddhists and 33 who were of other faiths. Of these 33 others, 1/4 of one would be Jewish. Within this 1/4 of 15, we would find Ruth Handler, the creator of the Barbie Doll; this is where we begin.

From here, we are wisked away on synapse-fired, word-associated travel through the history of the Jews and the Barbie. Delving into tribe and subtribe theory, the movie higlights the most interesting aspect of being inside or outside mainstream culture.One could argue that the Jews are the perennial outsiders. However, when you are always the outsider,(stay with me, folks!) does that not make you the "inside" outsider?

However, the part that I found the most moving was the poetry slam, expertly spit by Vanessa Hidary. She performed sections of her poem, "Hebrew Mamita," as the closing words of 'The Tribe." Chills coursed through my veins and inexplicable tears welled. Still, I cannot set my finger on exactly why I reacted the way I did; all I know is that it was profound. Please check out Vanessa Hidary's site, www.hebrewmamita.com, and emerse yourself in her words. They are truly amazing.

So, I know you want the link...I hope it is still up:
http://festival.sundance.org/2006/watch/film.aspx?which=423&category=DOC
Also, at the Sundance Film Festival site are other award-winning and notable short films. Grab a cup of tea or, even better, a glass of wine and enjoy!