“Footnote” is an interesting foreign film from Israel, which centers on a father-son relationship. Both are scholars of the Talmud. The son lectures at the university, has written many books, and is widely recognized as an expert in his field. The father, a meticulous researcher who has been investigating one aspect of Talmudic history all his adult life, has not achieved the fame his son has.
When the Israel Prize for the year is announced, it seems that the father will finally receive the recognition that he believes he deserves. Although this film could be made about any number of father-son relationships, it is particularly successful because of the tradition of study of the Talmud in Jewish culture.