Opening November 1 and continuing through November 12, The Boston Jewish Film Festival is the arbiter of film trends, especially for viewers in their 20s and 30s. The 18th annual Festival presents the most innovative film programs from around the world on Jewish themes. Films are accentuated by panel discussions; visits by directors, actors, and subjects; and musical events.

The Festival is New England’s largest Jewish cultural event, with last year’s record-setting attendance of over 13,600 people. This critically acclaimed Festival features more than 50 independently produced films, shown in
7 locations, and reflects the work of film artists from 16 countries, spoken in
18 languages. Highlights include 3 world premieres, 3 North American premieres, 4 U.S. premieres, and 15 New England premieres. The Festival presents 30 artists, noted speakers, and panelists; plus 7 musical performers from around the globe.

Festival films explore what it means to be Jewish – in the U.S., Israel, and around the world. Highlights for 2006 include: fresh, smart filmmaking; cutting-edge performances from dance to spoken word; and powerful connections with the other arts, from photography to theater to music.

“Audiences rely on The Boston Jewish Film Festival to define and determine trends in the film world,” said Sara L. Rubin, Executive Director. “This year’s Festival gives viewers more reasons than ever to leave work on time, call a sitter, or reschedule that book club or tennis game. We offer increased opportunities to connect with other attendees – make new friends, discuss fresh ideas, and witness distinct dance forms. The Festival is proud to fulfill our role as the curator of dynamic presentations for younger audiences.”

Opening and Closing Events In Vanguard of Film Trends

On October 30, the Festival celebrates its opening gala fundraiser: a buffet dinner at the Hyatt Regency Boston, and sneak preview of Toots, a tribute to the life of Toots Shor, saloonkeeper extraordinaire in New York City in the mid-1900s, at the AMC Boston Common. Filmmaker Kristi Jacobson, Shor’s granddaughter, will be present.

The Festival enjoys two opening nights. On November 1, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), Family Law is the third offering in a father-son trilogy, showing the son’s evolution as he marries and has a child of his own. Director Daniel Burman will be here from Argentina. On November 2, at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, Four Weeks in June unveils an unlikely friendship between a troubled young woman and her older Jewish neighbor whose past contains its own secrets. A reception with Swedish director Henry Meyer follows.

The Festival closes on November 12 at the MFA with the world premiere of
The Rape of Europa. This timely documentary tells the epic story of the theft, destruction and survival of Europe’s art treasures during the Third Reich, including Gustav Klimt’s portrait of Adele Block-Bauer. A reception with the film’s three directors follows at the School of the MFA.

The new “divorce comedy” Ira & Abby, directed by Robert Cary, stars writer-actor Jennifer Westfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein), Chris Messina (Six Feet Under), Judith Light, and comedian Robert Klein. Producers Brad Zion and Ilana Levine will be present.

Star Judd Hirsch (Numb3rs, Ordinary People) makes an in-person Festival appearance with first-time director Todd Yellin in Brother’s Shadow, also starring Scott Cohen (The Gilmore Girls, Kissing Jessica Stein).

Trend-Setting Performances

On November 8, Israeli director David Gavro introduces Sisai, about his adopted Ethiopian brother, followed by a special performance by the Beta Dance Troupe, from Haifa, Israel. The program offers an exciting blend of Ethiopian tribal dance and choreography based upon Ethiopian Jewish culture.

On November 12, Tiffany Shlain’s film The Tribe connects the history of the Barbie doll with Jewish culture, followed by a live performance by Vanessa Hidary. Known as “the Jewish mamita,” she is a spoken-word artist.

Media Opportunities

Preview screeners are available for most films. Photos are available for download; contact the Festival office for user name and password. Interviews with visiting artists can be arranged.

Festival Locations, Tickets, Sponsors

Primary venues are the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), and the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, with a number of screenings at the West Newton Cinema. Screenings also take place at AMC Framingham 16 (October 24 – 26), Hollywood Hits Premiere Theatre in Danvers, Showcase Cinemas Randolph, and the Arlington Capitol Theatre (November 14 and 16).

On October 3, the Festival’s redesigned website, www.bjff.org, goes live
and tickets can be purchased through http://ticketweb.com or 1-866-468-7619,
as well as through the MFA or Coolidge box office, for each venue’s shows only.

Passes are available, including the ReelPass, a three-film pass for viewers in their 20s and 30s; the Friends Pass, which gives admission to all events at a deep discount; and Weekday Pass, new this year, for five regularly-priced shows Monday – Thursday.

Tickets for most films are $10 for general admission; $9 for seniors, students, BJFF, MFA, CCT, and WGBH members. Discount tickets for groups of 20 or more are available at $7 per person by contacting the Festival office at 617-244-9899x208 or jkaplan@bjff.org, prior to October 20. For more information, or to request a mailed brochure, contact the Festival office at 617-244-9899x205 or info@bjff.org

Media partner WGBH will broadcast independent film highlights from prior Festivals on WGBH 44, on the two Sundays leading up to the Festival's opening. The Festival sponsor is Staples. Community newspaper The Jewish Advocate and National Public Radio station WBUR are media sponsors, and Air France and Delta Air Lines are official Festival airlines. The Festival appreciates the support of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in bringing an outstanding array of personal documentary films, plus discussions with directors. The Festival is also grateful for the continued support of Combined Jewish Philanthropies and its Boston-Haifa Connection as well as the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

About The Boston Jewish Film Festival

The Boston Jewish Film Festival presents the best contemporary films from around the world on Jewish themes at its annual Festival and throughout the year. Through features, shorts, documentaries, and conversations with visiting artists, the Festival explores Jewish identity, the current Jewish experience, and the richness of Jewish culture in relation to a diverse modern world. The Boston Jewish Film Festival, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization.





17th ANNUAL BOSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 1 – 12, 2006
NOTABLE PREMIERE SCREENINGS

World Premieres
• Lonely Man of Faith: The Life and Legacy of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, directed by Ethan Isenberg (2006, USA, English, 99 minutes, video)
• The Rape of Europa, by Richard Berge, Nicole Newnham, and Bonni Cohen (2006, USA, English, 117 mn., video)
• The 10th Man, directed by Sam Leifer (2006, UK, English, 11 minutes, video)

North American Premieres
• Origin Unknown (Grünfeld: Opphav Ukjent), directed by Nina Grünfeld (2005, Norway, Norwegian with subtitles, 49 minutes, video)
• Critchley, directed by Bayden Findlay (2004, Australia, English, 21 minutes, video)
• Holding Leah (Wäre Leah alt geworden?), directed by Myriam Halberstam (2005, Germany, English and German with subtitles, 7 minutes, video)

U.S. Premieres
• El Cantor, directed by Joseph Morder (2005, France, French with subtitles, 90 minutes, 35mm)
• You’re So Pretty (Comme t’y es Belle), directed by Lisa Azuelos (2006, France, French with subtitles, 85 minutes, 35mm)
• And Then, Who are We? (Et Nous, Qui Sommes-Nous?), directed by Barbara Schuch and Sophie Sensier (2005, France, Polish/English/French with subtitles, 58 minutes, video)
• Warsaw-Paris (Varsovie-Paris), directed by Idit Cébula (2002, France, French with subtitles, 30 minutes, video)

Key New England Premieres
• Brother’s Shadow, directed by Todd Yellin (2006, USA, English, 89 minutes, video)
• Frozen Days (Yamim Kfuim), directed by Danny Lerner (2005, Israel, Hebrew with subtitles, 90 minutes, 35mm)
• Ira and Abby, directed by Robert Cary (2006, USA, English, 100 minutes, video)
• Marti: The Passionate Eye, directed by Shirley Horrocks (2004, New Zealand, English, 73 minutes, video)
• Nina’s Home (La Maison de Nina), directed by Richard Dembo (2005, France, French with subtitles, 107 minutes, 35mm)
• Out of Sight (Lemarit Ein), by Daniel Syrkin (2005, Israel, Hebrew with subtitles, 86 minutes, 35mm)