'Bring people together': Jewish Film Festival screens variety of films -
- The Jewish Film Festival, held in collaboration with Jewish For Good, showcased six acclaimed films from September 15 to 24, aiming to bring people together and represent diverse aspects of the Jewish experience.
- The festival included interactive elements such as introductions and talk-backs with special guests, fostering deeper engagement and community involvement.
- Supported by major sponsors and the community, the festival successfully celebrated Jewish culture through film, leaving a lasting impact and promoting understanding among diverse audiences.
Culture every morning
Always be up-to-date. Get the freshest on culture, every morning to your inbox.
In a vibrant celebration of Jewish culture, the annual Jewish Film Festival has concluded, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Held in collaboration with Jewish For Good, a nonprofit that serves Jewish communities across Orange County, Durham, and beyond, the festival screened six acclaimed films from September 15 to 24 at the Chelsea Theater in Chapel Hill, NC.
The Festival’s Mission
The Jewish Film Festival is more than just a showcase of award-winning films; it is an event designed to bring people together. By screening a diverse range of international subjects and filmmakers, the festival aims to engage emotions, reach diverse audiences, and provoke thought. Each film included in the lineup was carefully selected to represent a unique aspect of the Jewish experience, from historical moments to contemporary issues.
The Films
The festival featured six films that captivated audiences with their compelling stories and powerful narratives. Here’s a brief look at each film:
-
The Catskills: Directed by Lex Gillespie, this film takes viewers on a journey to the early 1990s in Jerusalem where a boisterous Moroccan-Jewish clan reunites for a wedding. The film is filled with joy, laughter, and vibrant personalities, but as the Seven Blessings ritual unfolds, deep-seated secrets and wounds begin to surface.
-
The Shadow of the Day: Told with delightful mordant humor and genuine warmth, this story follows Tamas, an aging boxing coach in present-day Budapest whose relationship with his son has frayed. After converting to Orthodox Judaism, Tamas’s son moved to Israel, leading to a poignant reunion at the funeral of Tamas’s wife.
-
SHTTL: Directed by Ady Walter, this visually compelling film tells the story of a Jewish village on the Soviet-Ukraine border 24 hours before Operation Barbarossa. The film focuses on the vitality of the residents and follows Mendele, a young aspiring filmmaker who reunites with the love of his life in the village.
-
The Savoy Hotel Hostage Crisis: This film brings to light the story of Kohava Levi, a heroine who courageously tried to save lives during the 1975 Savoy Hotel hostage crisis in Tel Aviv. Instead of being celebrated for her heroism, Levi was ridiculed by the media due to her circumstances.
Collaborative Effort
The success of the Jewish Film Festival is a testament to the collaborative efforts between Jewish For Good and the Chelsea Theater. By partnering with this community non-profit theater, the festival was able to provide an intimate and engaging setting for each screening. The Chelsea Theater has been renovated to include state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring that every film was showcased in the best possible light.
Community Involvement
The Jewish Film Festival is not just about the films; it is also about fostering community involvement. Each screening included an introduction and talk-back with a special guest. This interactive element allowed viewers to engage more deeply with the films and discuss their experiences and perspectives. The festival pass, which grants admission to all six films, was also an attractive option for those who wanted to immerse themselves in the entire lineup.
Support from Community and Sponsors
Major support for the festival was provided by Ugo Goetzl and Ina Wallace, Marion and Stanley Robboy, and the Shepard Broad Foundation. These sponsors recognized the importance of cultural events in bringing people together and supported the festival with generous donations. In addition to individual tickets priced at $15 for non-members and $12 for Chelsea and Jewish For Good members, various sponsorship tiers were available, ranging from $500 to $5,000, offering different levels of recognition and participation.
Conclusion
The Jewish Film Festival has once again demonstrated its ability to bring people together through the universal language of film. By showcasing a variety of internationally acclaimed films and fostering community involvement, the festival has played a significant role in celebrating Jewish culture and promoting understanding. As the community looks forward to next year’s event, one thing is clear: the Jewish Film Festival will continue to be a highlight of the cultural calendar, inspiring empathy, sparking dialogue, and leaving a lasting impact on all who participate.
