BOCA RATON’S ORIGINAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2023 SUMMER FEST FILM SERIES & 7TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL AUDIENCE WINNERS

Boca Raton’s original Jewish film festival, The Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Je Film Festival (JLKBRJFF), presented by the Adolph and Rose Levis JCC (Levis announces the audience winners from its 7th annual event, the 2023 Summer F film series, and a call for Screening Committee members Viewed by more than film lovers in 2023, the film festival is recognized as a premiere destination for J and Israeli films and has become one of the country’s largest niche film festivals

More than 80 feature-length films, documentaries and shorts were judged by vie based on the overall quality of the film, effectiveness of the message, entertainm value and audience popularity, among other criteria. Viewers selected the top th finalists in each category: best narrative, best documentary and best short.

“At the heart of JLKBRJFF’s mission is our commitment to showcasing films that capture the rich and multifaceted experiences of Jewish culture and history,” said Nina

Rosenzweig, Chair, JLKBRJFF Screening Committee “Our dedicated screening committee and I take great care to curate a diverse selection of films that challenge, inspire and provoke thought, and we are privileged to collaborate with talented film makers from all corners of the world who share our passion for storytelling ”

Top three winners in each category are:

Best Narratives: Farewell Mr Haffman; Simone Veil: A Woman of the Century ; The Accusation

Best Documentary Films: Baltic Truth; The Rhapsody; Reckonings

Best Short Films: Nakam; Twenty Minutes; The Caretaker

“JLKBRJFF is more than just a film festival, 3 weeks, 80 films or 9 winners it’s a celebration of Jewish culture and a testament to the vibrant community that supports it,” said Stephanie Owitz, VP of Arts, Culture and Learning, Levis JCC Sandler Center. Demand for enriching cultural arts programming in our area remains strong during the summer months. The Levis JCC’s JLKBRJFF is proud to present its Summer Fest film series. Films will be screened one Wednesday per month at 1 p.m., June through October at the Levis JCC Tickets are $10 per film

The 8 th annual JLKBRJFF will be held January 28 – February 18, 2024 The Festival’s Screening Committee, an integral part of the Festival each year, is currently accepting new members; this is an active committee that is involved in carefully curating the final roster of films that will be presented to the 2024 Festival audiences Contact JLKBRJFF

Director Lisa Barash at lisab@levisjcc org for more information

Sponsorship opportunities are also available The Levis JCC is located at 21050 95th Avenue S in Boca Raton

"May December" seems to be a thought-provoking film that delves into complex themes of performance, identity, and ethical boundaries. Natalie Portman stars as an actor researching a scandal from the past, where Julianne Moore's character, Gracie Atherton-Yoo, was involved in a sexual relationship with a seventh grader, who she is now seemingly happily married to, played by Charles Melton

The film's script, penned by Samy Burch, navigates these thorny themes in a light but deliberate manner, keeping the audience engaged and constantly shifting their perceptions of the characters. Director Todd Haynes, who has previously worked with Julianne Moore, expresses his admiration for the tonally rich script and the challenge of visually translating its complexities

For Natalie Portman, "May December" offers a chance to work with a director she admires and explore her own fascinations with performance, art, and innocence. As a producer on the film as well, Portman is drawn to the layers of artifice and the use of lies to tell the truth, which she sees as a magical element of filmmaking.

The film draws some inspiration from real-life cases, with Gracie's character sharing similarities with Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who had a relationship with a student. Throughout Haynes' filmography, questions of identity and artifice have been recurrent themes, and Portman's shared approach to film made her an excellent fit for the project.

Haynes praises Portman's eagerness to engage with the disquieting aspects of her character, indicating that she skillfully inhabits the role despite the character's reckless nature Unlike some of her previous roles that required extensive research, Portman's preparation for this part seems to have been mostly done beforehand.

Overall, "May December" promises to be a thought-provoking and layered exploration of complex themes, supported by a talented cast and a rigorous script The film was acquired by Netflix and is scheduled for release later this year.