Published: 17 September 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
WATCH THE MARTIN LAZAR VIDEOS ON INSTAGRAM
MOYSHIE ELIAS GREW UP in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs and attended a Jewish day school. At his Maccabi soccer matches, South African dads would be on the sidelines, exuding fretful kindness and affability.
These men, with a “warmth like Homer Simpson and Alan Partridge, and with foibles and insight,” as he describes them, were vocal spectators who left such an impression on Elias that he created a comic character from them.
Earlier this year Elias posted his first video on Instagram featuring Martin Lazar, whose hilarious reflections on modern life are based on these early encounters and substantiated with interactions with South African friends’ parents.
Since he posted the video in March, Elias has made almost 180 more, and they have become a hit on social media, not only among family and friends but within the wider Jewish community,
“I’ve always loved those characters in my life. It makes me laugh and giggle to myself every time I remember lines these fathers would say. I wanted to keep them with me,” says Elias, who is in his early thirties and works as an architect and musician.
The sketches originated earlier this year in a WhatsApp group after Elias jokingly created the character as a father for his real-life friend Loz. Alongside a smattering of confused comments from friends, the initial feedback was all positive, prompting Elias to further develop Martin’s story.
Elias sought to understand the political, historical, and cultural context of Martin’s world, to better portray “his softness, affability, and very particular kind of worldliness - this character has obviously seen stuff”.
I’m done with Seinfeld and Larry David; we’ve got our own people and an interesting community.
In his research, Elias dived deep into South African stories of immigration, and found himself amazed by the cultural and national identities - from “Ashkenazi and national influences of Eastern Europe, to multicultural colonial South Africa, to colonised Australia… and then you have Israel to deal with at the same time!” - shouldered by families such as the Lazars. “I’m in awe of the history.”
The posting of the videos was born from a desire to share humour and joy in the online space, and to celebrate and continue the distinct culture of Melbourne’s Jewish community. “I’m done with Seinfeld and Larry David; we’ve got our own people and an interesting community,” says Elias.
The niche appeal of the sketches is important to him; the cultural touchpoints are created with communities in mind, and Elias is wary of these being misinterpreted. Before Martin, there was a prototype for another character - a dad holding a lot more bitterness towards South Africa, constantly talking about the falling Rand.
[gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="38279"]
Elias abandoned him as he developed his intentions for the character and the project, which were to bring and spread positivity rather than cynicism.
The South African expat community have been lively supporters of the character, offering enthusiastic feedback by message on Instagram. There is a great kindness and familiarity evident in the Martin Lazar videos; the sketches feel like a wonderful homage to the gentle, sweet, occasionally kvetching dad.
Not everyone is able to see the satire: a friend sent a reaction video from their dad, convinced that they, in fact, knew the fictitious Hammerschlag family at the centre of his shtick. Political questions come filtering through too, but Elias is more interested in Martin’s engagement with his religion than politics.
There is a great kindness and familiarity evident in the Martin Lazar videos; the sketches feel like a wonderful homage to the gentle, sweet, occasionally kvetching dad.
Alongside his musings on Noosa, Nandos, and Rainbow Serpent, Martin speaks to “the beautiful parts” of Jewish culture, including Tanach, the challah, the food and the stories, and mitzvot.
In one Instagram message, a fan asked about Martin’s preference between the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Alter Rebbe and the Vilna Gaon. Elias received a message from Chabad after the video went live. They’re big fans but wanted to know why Martin hadn’t picked the Alter Rebbe.
Are there any other characters in the works? Although Elias is sticking with Martin Lazar for now, he says he’s also drawn to the stories of the Soviet Jewish community - but admits that his Russian accent is “probably not quite up to scratch yet”.
What’s next for Martin? His creator wants to keep bringing joy on Instagram and acknowledges the videos’ pertinence at this Covid-impacted time. “In a very basic sense, they make people feel ok to be alone”.
He muses on the possibility of a stage show that taps into Martin’s love of song. “That would be really fun”.
WATCH THE MARTIN LAZAR VIDEOS ON INSTAGRAM
Photo: Moyshie Elias, aka Martin Lazar (supplied)
