2024 Jewish Film Series

Week 1

Remembering Gene WilderJune 23 and 26 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: Remembering Gene Wilder

An intimate portrait of popular comedic actor, Gene Wilder, who narrates much of the film himself. His memorable films include Willy Wonka, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers.

USA. 2023. 1h32m. English. Documentary.

 

 

 

 

Week 2

Call Me Dancer June 30 and July 3 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: Call Me Dancer

Story of a young, talented street dancer from Mumbai. Despite his parents’ wishes, he pursues a professional dancing career, working with an older Israeli teacher. An inspiring perspective of the dancer’s passion for his artistic gift. 

India, Israel, UK. 2023. 84 mins.  English & Hindi. Narrative with subtitles.

 

 

 


Week 3

All About The LevkovichesJuly 7 and 10 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: All About The Levkoviches

An elderly Jewish, Hungarian boxing coach gets along with everyone except with his estranged son, who now lives in Israel and has become an Orthodox Jew.

The son returns to Budapest with his own son for the mother’s funeral. Both are forced to face old grievances. A masterfully acted and directed film.

Hungary. 2024. 85 mins. Hungarian & Hebrew. English subtitles. Narrative

 

 

 

Week 4

July 14 and 17 at 3:30 pm.

 

Farrewell Mr HaffmannJewish Film Series: Hope Without Boundaries

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, an Israeli field hospital with its medical teams
provide vital medical care to hundreds affected by the conflict. Viewed as a beacon of hope and a cinematic gem.

Israel. 2023. 65 mins. Hebrew with English subtitles.

 

 

 

 

Supernova: The Music Festival MassacreJewish Film Series: Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre

Supernova conveys the terror of the massacre at the rock concert site near the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7.  The rampage left. 360 dead with over 40 taken hostage. This tragedy came after Hamas led the widespread brutal assault into southern Israel killing 1200 people. The filmmaker, Duki Dror, said it was the hardest film he ever made.  A heartbreaking important film. 

Israel. 2024. 52 mins. Hebrew with English subtitles. Documentary.

 

 

 

 

Week 5

Vishniac July 21 and 24 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: Vishniac

Photographer Roman Vishniac captured iconic images in the shtetls of Eastern Europe. These communities would be wiped out during the Holocaust.  The photos from the 1930’s were taken to raise funds for Jews in need and became his most renown legacy. Told from his daughter Mara’s perspective and produced by Nancy Spielberg, Vishniac is recognized as the last century’s most important image makers.

USA. 2023. 93 mins. English. Documentary.

 

 

 

Week 6

The CatskillsJuly 28 and 31 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: The Catskills

The Catskills tells the story of the rise and fall of the Borscht Belt, a vacation paradise for Jewish travelers in upstate New York. The resorts are gone now but the film affectionately recounts their popular time and place. Filmmaker Lex Gillepsiejj draws on archival footage and contemporary interviews to show how these resorts became the American dream for many East Coast Jews.

USA. 2024. 86 mins. English. Documentary.

 

 

 

Week 7

Golda’s War DiariesAugust 4 and 7 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: Golda’s War Diaries

To mark the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur war, Israel’s National Archive released official documents unknown to the public until now. Despite the myth of Prime Minister Golda Meir’s shortcomings, the film shows how she managed the war effort vigorously and assertively. A peace agreement with Egypt emerged 5 years later.

Israel. 2023. 73 mins. Hebrew with English subtitles. Documentary.

 

 

 

 

Week 8

Kidnapped August 11 and 14 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: Kidnapped

Kidnapped is an Italian historical drama about Edgardo Montara, a young Jewish boy who was taken from his family by the Papal States in 1851 and raised as a Catholic. A Christian maid had secretly baptized the boy. Since Papal State law forbade a Christian to be raised by non-Christians, family attempts to draw public attention to the case, and even trying to kidnap him, create conflict and tension in this riveting drama.

Italy. 2023. 2 hrs. 15 mins. Italian with English subtitles. Narrative based on true story.

 

 

 

Week 9

Resistance: They Fought BackAugust 18 and 21 at 3:30 pm.

Jewish Film Series: Resistance: They Fought Back

For decades, the world believed Jews faced their fate passively during the Holocaust. But Resistance offers a different, heroic story of Jews who actively resisted their oppressors. Filmed in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Israel and the USA, the bravery and leadership of Jews is masterfully illuminated.

USA. 2024. 86 mins. English. Documentary.