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JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival




     

JULY 29                                                                                      July 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 31    August 1 | 2  View entire schedule

Thursday, July 29, 2pm, JCC Hart Theatre
ELI & BEN
Director: Ori Ravid, Israel, 2009, 91 min., Hebrew w/ subtitles, Narrative
An Israeli boy wrestles with real-life ethical dilemmas and his love for his father in Eli & Ben, a bittersweet coming-of-age drama that will win the hearts of teen and adult audiences alike. Mischievous 12-year-old Eli (Yuval Shevach) has his sheltered world turned upside down after his father (Lior Ashkenazi, Walk On Water, RJFF 2006), a city architect in the upscale Herzliya community, is charged with taking bribes. News of the scandal makes its way to the school playground and national newspapers. Into this void of disillusionment steps Police Inspector Amos (Tzahi Grad), who presents sympathy but uncertain motives. Forced to question everything he believes, Eli sets out to restore the reputation of his father while navigating questions of trust and friendship. Eli & Ben features outstanding performances and the debut of writer/director Ori Ravid.

Audience Award for Best Feature Fiction, Boston Jewish Film Festival 2009.

JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival

JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival

Thursday, July 29, 6:15pm, Little Theatre
BERLIN '36
Director: Kaspar Heidelbach, Germany, 2009, 100 min., German w/ subtitles
Inspired by the true story of Jewish high jumper Gretel Bergmann, Berlin '36 replays a remarkable piece of forgotten Olympic history. Bergmann (award-winning actress Karoline Herfurth) was considered a top contender for the gold medal at the 1936 Summer Games in Nazi-controlled Berlin. With the Americans threatening an Olympic boycott if Jewish athletes were barred from competing, Bergmann is invited to training camp. But uncomfortable with a Jewish athlete on the Aryan team, the Nazis conspire to replace her with an unknown über-athlete (Sebastian Urzendowsky). Berlin '36 is the exploration of a tenuous friendship between two outsiders who find themselves in unimaginable circumstances.

JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival

JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival

PRECEEDED BY:
TOYLAND (Spielzeugland)
Director: Jochen Alexander Freydank, Germany, 2009, 14 min., German w/ subtitles, Short Narrative
To shield her son from the horrors of the Holocaust, a mother tries to make him believe that their Jewish neighbors are going on a journey to "Toyland".
Academy Award Winner Best Live Action Short Film, 2009.

Generously underwritten by The Konar Family Foundation in cooperation with Monroe Community College Holocaust Genocide Studies Program.
JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival

Thursday, July 29, 9pm, Little Theatre
THE LONERS (Ha'Bodedim)
Director: Renen Schorr, Israel, 2009, 92 min., Hebrew/Russian w/ subtitles, Narrative
Inspired by true events that took place in an Israeli military prison in 1997, The Loners tells of two Russian-speaking immigrants who serve in the army and desire to assimilate into Israeli society. Through unforeseen events, they are accused of treason. Although innocent, their demand for a retrial falls on deaf ears. Increasingly desperate as they lose their freedom and dignity in prison, they attempt one last-ditch effort to be heard. The Loners is the new long-awaited feature by Renen Schorr, who has influenced a whole generation of young Israeli filmmakers through the world-renowned Sam Spiegel Film School in Jerusalem, which he founded and has led for more than 20 years. Schoor also co-founded the Israeli Film Fund.

The Loners was nominated for 11 Israeli Academy Awards.
Generously underwritten by Israel Bonds

JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival

JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival
(no English subtitles)