1 9 9 7 F e s t i v a l
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A TICKLE IN THE HEART
Germany, 1996, English, BW, 87 min Director: Stefan Schwietert Back in their day, the Epstein Brothers – Max, Willis, and their kid brother Jules (now only 70) - were the "Kings of Klezmer Music" stars of the Hasidic wedding circuit. But it?s never too late for international stardom, as demonstrated by this impeccably recorded music documentary, as it follows the still swinging Epsteins on gigs in Florida,
Brooklyn and Berlin. |
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GENGHIS COHN
England, 1993 English, color, 80 min Director: Elijah Moshinski
Why is Otto Schatz, former Nazi commander and now police chief
of a small Bavarian town, sneaking around in his underwear? Why does he seem to
be talking to himself, and why is he suddenly craving chopped liver and gefilte
fish? Could it be that Genghis Cohn, former Jewish cabaret comedian, has returned
to battle for Schatz?s soul? Starring Diana Rigg, Antony Sher and Robert Lindsay,
this is sophisticated dark comedy at its British best. SBJFS is proud to announce
that we have funded the creation of a new print of this exceptional film for our
audience because the original print was destroyed. |
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GOLET IN THE VALLEY
Czechoslovakia, 1995, subtitles, color, 90 min Director: Zeno Dostal
When it is discovered that the mikva (ritual bath) has become
impure, the villagers of Polana are thrown into an uproar.
This warm and charming drama, beautifully photographed in
Ukraine, depicts small town Jewish life as it was, with its
joys, sorrows and struggles to survive. With humor and great affection, the film
follows the characters of Polana as they set about restoring the balance of life
to their little village.
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LENI
Austria, 1992, subtitles, color, 90 min Director: Leo Hiemer
Leni tells the story of a childless older farm couple in 1930's
Bavaria, who take responsibility for the care of Leni, a
baby girl, given up by her mother. Their extraordinary love for the child grows
and deepens each year. The warm village atmosphere changes to menacing hostility
when rumors of Leni's Jewish ancestry surface. This powerful and moving drama
explores parental love under fire from bigotry and racism. |
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MENDEL
Norway, 1997, subtitles, color, 98 min Director: Alexander Rosler
Warm and bittersweet, this is the story of a poor immigrant family,
who leaves Germany and settles in Norway in 1954. The story unfolds through Mendel's
eyes, a curious and brave nine-year-old boy. Mendel wrestles with the adult questions
of prejudice, Jewish identity and his family's war secrets. Rosler's delicate
characterization is inspired by his own life. |
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THE RIGHTEOUS ENEMY
Italy and UK, 1987, English commentary and subtitles, color/BW, 87 min Director:
Joseph Rochlitz
This dramatic documentary reveals the heroism of highly placed
Italians, who, with ingenious bureaucratic evasions and literal roadblocks, willfully
defied Mussolini?s orders to turn over Italian Jews to the Nazis. This gripping
film tells the little known story of the successful effort by members of the Italian
military and the diplomatic corps to save over 40,000 Italian Jews from certain
death during WWII. |
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WHEN SHIRLEY MET FLORENCE
Canada, 1988, English, color, 20 min.
Shirley met Florence over 50 years ago, when they were in grade
school in Montreal. Their love of music cements their friendship,
which endures through Florence?s discovery of her lesbianism and Shirley's marriage
to Florence's brother. |
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