Keep On Walking
This rousing documentary is a celebration of Joshua Nelson, a young African-American, observant Jew who transcends the differences between races and faiths through his music. Nelson is both a gospel singer in the tradition of Mahalia Jackson, and a Hebrew teacher. Through his composing, gospel singing, and chanting of the Torah, Joshua is the musical embodiment of cultural and racial harmony. Filmed on location in Nelson’s hometown of Newark, New Jersey, as well as in St. Louis, Stockholm and Jerusalem.
Directors: Tana Ross, Jesper Sorensen, Freke Vuijst, and Vibeke Winding
53 min – 2001
Festival screenings:
Newark Black Film Festival – Paul Robeson Award for Best Documentary
Northampton Film Festival – “Best of the Fest” Documentary Award
Brooklyn Jewish Film Festival – Closing Night Special Presentation
Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) International Film and Video Festival
Boston Jewish Film Festival
Copenhagen Jewish Film Festival
Berlin Jewish Film Festival
Amsterdam Jewish Film Festival
Toronto Jewish Film Festival
Miami Jewish Film Festival
Berkshire Jewish Film Festival
Reviews:
A “terrific movie…An important ecumenical work.” – The Boston Phoenix
“Nelson is…the ideal subject of a documentary-not just because his hybrid identity makes for a snappy hook, but because he is just as charismatic as, well, you’d expect a Jewish gospel singer to be.” – The Valley Advocate