Director: Edward Sloman, US, 1927, 77 min., Silent, Narrative
After a marvelous reception in 2009 with the silent film His People, RJFF is pleased to offer another delightful silent film with live piano accompaniment by Rochester's own Philip Carli. One of the few American silent feature films to deal with life in a European shtetl, Surrender is filled with details of village life and Jewish customs. Based on the book "Lea Lyon" by Alexander Brody, the film's story unfolds on the eve of WWI in an Austrian village where the Chief Rabbi's daughter Lea, encounters Prince Constantine, a Russian officer. Lea's passion for the Prince and her concern for the lives of the villagers conflict with her father's views. In this plot-twisting melodrama about political and personal passions, it can be hard to separate the heros from the traitors.
Generously underwritten by Debby and Elliot Landsman.
Live piano accompaniment by Philip Carli.
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Director: Adam Elliot, Australia, 2009, 92 min., English, Narrative
The opening night selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Mary and Max is a clayography feature film from Academy Award® winning writer/director Adam Elliot featuring the voice talents of Toni Collette (Mary) and Rochester's own Philip Seymour Hoffman (Max). Spanning 20 years and two continents, Mary and Max explores the relationship of an unusual set of pen-pals, Mary Dinkle a chubby, lonely 8 year-old living in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, and Max Horovitz an obese, 44 year-old Jewish man living with Asperger syndrome in the chaos of New York City. As Mary and Max chronicles Mary's trip from adolescence to adulthood, and Max's passage from middle to old age, it explores a bond that survives much more than the ups and downs of an average friendship. Winner of the Crystal Bear, Berlin International Film Festival 2009.
Community Partner: Reel Mind Film Festival
Generously underwritten by Marcia and Gary Stern.
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