![]() There’s even the introduction of the New Salem Philanthropic Society or Second-Salemers, a fanatical group that fears magic and seeks to destroy those who practice it. Grindelwald considers wizards superior to Muggles and wants them to come out of hiding. For instance, The Magical Congress of the United States imposes backwards laws on fraternizing and marrying No-Majs. The “us” and “them” mentality that Adolph Hitler and his propaganda machine disseminated is already a running motif throughout the film. If this series spans 1926 to 1945, we’ll also get to see the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. The “Magic is Might” statue in the Ministry of Magic’s atrium after Voldemort’s ascent to power in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” | By Karen Roe, via Creative CommonsThink about it. It’s been stated that there will be four more sequels after “Fantastic Beasts,” and the storyline will end in 1945, presumably with the epic duel between Grindelwald and Dumbledore that won Dumbledore the Elder Wand. With this speculation about the Goldsteins’ Jewish lineage in mind, we can infer more about how Jewish identity might be explored in the wizarding world moving forward. Is the movie trying to tell us something? Is Anthony Goldstein of Ravenclaw a descendant of Jacob and Queenie’s eventual marriage? Moreover, Jacob is played by Jewish actor Dan Fogler. In addition, Queenie’s love interest (and the incredible comic relief) is a No-Maj named Jacob Kowalski, a Polish last name often attributed to Jewish families. What, was there no wizarding yeshiva or seminary out there?) (What we do know for sure is that the sisters were schooled at the American equivalent of Hogwarts, Ilvermorny in Massachusetts. Nevertheless, the movie’s time period (1926, the same year Voldemort is born) suggests that these sisters could be first-generation Americans from Jewish immigrant parents who came to New York from Europe in the late 1800s or early 1900s when waves of Jews fled the pogroms of Europe for the land of opportunity, the American dream. We don’t know much about their parents, who died of dragon pox when the girls were very young. While not overtly stated in the movie, I think it’s safe to assume that Tina and Queenie come from some kind of Jewish background given their surname. Rowling herself confirmed that there are Jewish wizards last year, using Anthony Goldstein of Ravenclaw as an example. Now the idea of Jews in the Harry Potter canon is nothing new. It was actually the American auror (dark wizard catcher) for the MACUSA, Porpentina “Tina” Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) and her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol). It all leads him on a merry chase through the urban jungle of a beautifully actualized 1920s New York City – the likes of which we haven’t seen since Peter Jackson’s remake of King Kong in 2005.īut it wasn’t Newt (played by Eddie Redmayne) that got me thinking. (Murtlaps and Erumpents and Demiguises – OH MY!) Soon after his arrival, all hell breaks loose, and Scamander finds himself at odds with the No-Majs (the American term for Muggles) as well as The Magical Congress of the United States or MACUSA for short. Scamander as he arrives in Manhattan circa 1926 with a cardboard suitcase, the staple of any immigrant of that time, full of magical animals that have cropped up in Rowling’s universe. ![]() “’Fantastic Beasts’ is, on the whole, everything a Potter fan could want and more.”| Buddha Jones, via vimeo.Directed by David Yates – who helmed the last four Potter films – the movie tells the story of Mr. The lovable characters, the top-notch effects, a killer soundtrack, and the eponymous “beasts” are all worth the price of admission. If you read the books, you’ll definitely appreciate the little winks and nods Rowling included in the script, but noticing them isn’t mandatory if you just want to escape into a world of whimsy for two hours. It’s a spin-off, taking place over half a century before young Harry’s saga begins, but it’s also its own (and forgive the pun here) unique beast. Upon second glance, “Fantastic Beasts” is, on the whole, everything a Potter fan could want and more. ![]() So, how do you turn a phantasmagorical field guide on creatures of fantasy into a feature film? You hire the original author to write the screenplay, of course! And, not only do we get to delve back into the rich world Rowling built almost twenty years ago, but we also get a tantalizing look at the possibilities for Jewish wizards in the Harry Potter canon. Some may remember the 128-page encyclopedia written by Rowling in 2001 along with Quidditch Through The Ages. It’s based on the fictional tome by magical zoologist Newt Scamander in J.K. At first glance, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” seems like a movie made on a wild dare.
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