On Monday, November 18th, New York City’s Angelica Theatre Center hosted a packed house for the world premiere of Guns & Moses, a groundbreaking neo-Western mystery thriller by Salvador Litvak. The sold-out event featured a post-screening Q&A with Litvak and panelists Lisa Rozner and Gabrielle Ruiz, offering a deeper look into the film’s creation and its profound relevance. A kosher VIP dessert reception capped off the evening, blending cinematic artistry with communal purpose.
The fundraiser event, organized in partnership with JOIN Israel, aimed to provide PTSD and trauma counseling to terror victims in Southern and Northern Israel. This added layer of purpose elevated the evening, underscoring the urgency of addressing mental health crises while highlighting JOIN Israel’s additional initiatives, including aiding at-risk elderly, promoting STEM education, and running a Jerusalem soup kitchen.
Helmed by Salvador Litvak, widely recognized as “The Accidental Talmudist,” Guns & Moses is a gripping drama that rises beyond its genre to explore profound themes of identity, morality, and resilience. At its heart is Rabbi Mo Zaltzman, portrayed with depth and authenticity by Mark Feuerstein. A joyful and perceptive Hasidic rabbi, Zaltzman’s life is thrown into chaos when his community is violently attacked. Grappling with his deepest fears and internal conflicts, he takes up a Glock to shield his congregation while unraveling a mystery that reveals the shadows both around him and within.
The ensemble cast is nothing short of stellar. Feuerstein brings depth and authenticity to his portrayal of Zaltzman, capturing the rabbi’s transition from spiritual guide to reluctant gunslinger. Neal McDonough delivers a riveting performance as an enigmatic character central to the mystery, while Alona Tal brings both vulnerability and strength to her role. Christopher Lloyd’s magnetic presence adds gravitas, and Dermot Mulroney delivers a standout performance that lingers long after the credits roll.
Visually, the film dazzles with its stark cinematography, capturing the haunting beauty of its settings and elevating the tension in every frame. The pacing is razor-sharp, with Litvak and co-writer Nina Davidovich crafting a script that balances edge-of-your-seat suspense with moments of introspection and humor.
The line from the film, “God and the Glock protect you today,” powerfully resonates with Jewish communities in the U.S., where many synagogues have been compelled to hire armed guards to protect their congregations. It also reflects the ethos in Israel, where belief in God is intertwined with a steadfast commitment to self-determination and the readiness to defend oneself with force when necessary. This poignant phrase captures the duality of faith and action, a central theme that threads through the film.
At its core, the film examines the struggle to confront hatred while upholding one’s deepest values. Zaltzman’s personal dilemma—whether he can take a life to protect others—mirrors the broader challenge faced by communities today: finding the balance between the necessity of self-defense and the commitment to moral principles. This internal conflict adds emotional depth to the story, making it as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
Litvak’s connection to the material is palpable. Growing up with Holocaust survivors, including his grandmother Magda, he imbues the story with an emotional authenticity that feels both universal and deeply personal. Conceived after the Poway synagogue shooting, Guns & Moses was tragically prescient, gaining heightened significance in the wake of the October 7th attacks during its post-production.
The Q&A session brought further depth to the evening. Litvak shared his inspirations for the film, recounting how personal history and recent tragedies informed its narrative. Panelists Lisa Rozner and Gabrielle Ruiz offered additional perspectives, discussing the film’s broader cultural implications and its call to action against rising antisemitism.
Audience questions revealed the film’s profound impact, sparking conversations about identity, justice, and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Litvak’s candid reflections on fear, hope, and the power of storytelling added a heartfelt dimension to the evening.
The event concluded with a luxurious kosher dessert reception, creating an atmosphere of unity and reflection. Guests mingled, sharing their thoughts on the film while savoring an array of treats that adhered to Jewish dietary laws. The reception perfectly complemented the evening’s themes of community and support, underscoring the importance of coming together in difficult times.
Guns & Moses is more than a thriller—it’s a cultural statement. Litvak’s deft direction, combined with a powerhouse cast and a deeply relevant narrative, makes this film a standout in contemporary cinema. As both entertainment and a call to action, it addresses pressing issues with intelligence and heart, leaving audiences inspired and introspective. This film is a must-watch, sure to spark dialogue and leave an indelible mark on all who see it.
