Mizel Arts and Culture Center
macc
15
al v i t s e F m l i F sh i w e J r e v n e D nagement gner Wealth Ma a sponsored by W
FEBRUARY 10–20
th
2011
at the jcc
Wagner Wealth Management would like to thank MACC and the JCC for the invaluable work they do for the community
“We wake up every day with the goal of helping our clients navigate the chaos of their financial lives.” – Gary Wagner, Wagner Wealth Management
Wagner Wealth Management, LLC | 210 University Boulevard, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80206 | Tel: 303-394-9600 | www.wagnerwealth.com
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
SC H E D U L E O F EV E N TS
FEBRUARY 10—20, 2011 W E D N E S D AY, F E B . 1 6 5:30 p.m. Anita 7:40 p.m. Brothers
S AT U R D AY, F E B . 1 2 6:30 p.m. Berlin ‘36 8:40 p.m. Bride Flight
T H U R S D AY, F E B . 1 7 5:30 p.m. Precious Life 7:30 p.m. The Matchmaker
S U N D AY, 11:30 a.m. 1:45 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 6:45 p.m.
F R I D AY, F E B . 1 8 3 p.m. Cohen on the Bridge and Amnon’s Journey
FEB. 13 Simon Konianski Maharal The Trotsky War Against the Weak
M O N D AY, F E B . 1 4 5:30 p.m. Nora’s Will 7:30 p.m. Naomi T U E S D AY, F E B . 1 5 5:30 p.m. Against the Tide 7:40 p.m. Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story
S AT U R D AY, F E B . 1 9 6:30 p.m. Maya 8:30 p.m. Who Do You Love? & Grand Finale Party S U N D AY, 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
FEB. 20 Ahead of Time The “Socalled” Movie “Arab Labor” with Sayed Kashua: Forever Scared The Roundup (La Rafle)
SCHEDULE
T H U R S D AY, F E B . 1 0 6 p.m. Schmoooze & Light Supper 7 p.m. Program & Screening of Nora’s Will
B o x O f f i c e ( 3 0 3 ) 3 1 6 - 6 3 6 0 • w w w. m a c c j c c . o r g / f i l m Denver Jewish Film Festival, Volume 15, 2011 This program is published annually by MACC at the JCC, 350 S. Dahlia St. Denver, CO 80246
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GIVING LEVELS
FESTIVAL TICKETS
Friend of the Festival: $500–$999 Receives a listing, a Producer’s Pass (includes Opening Night, Closing Night and Festival Pass*) and priority seating for the entire festival.
General Admission: $9/JCC Members, Students, Seniors; $10/Non-members
(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE Friend of MACC: $300–$499 Receives a listing, an Opening Night ticket and priority seating for Opening Night.
ADMISSION Producer’s Pass: $200 Includes Opening Night, Grand Finale & Festival Pass.* Opening Night Celebration: $125 Opening Night Party & Screening Grande Finale: $18/JCC Members, Students, Seniors; $20/Non-members Grand Finale Screening & Wrap Party
FESTIVAL PASS*: $115 20 admissions at $5.75/ticket (transferable & shareable, excludes Opening Night and Grand Finale)
10-PACK*: $70 10 admissions at $7 per ticket (transferable & shareable, excludes Opening Night and Grand Finale)
Sharon Haber, Chair Marcia Karshmer, Vice Chair Vicki Dansky Dana Melmed Friedman Steve Glickman Betsy Heyman
Art Kleinstein Jeffrey Reiss Don Safer Julie Schwarz Carol Wagner
OPENING NIGHT COMMITTEE Judy Altenberg Donna Altieri Krista Boscoe Risa Buckstein Lori Doi Charlene Engleberg
Terry Heller Joanne Kleinstein Andy Levy Evi Makovsky Michelle Teitelbaum Elaine Tinter
MACC TEEN FILM BOARD Abe Mamet, President Izzie Gall, Vice President Sylvie NovinsMontague, Secretary Sasha Fenimore, Treasurer Estee Hamo, TK
Jordan Andersen Joseph Barber Nate Bloom Galit Deitel Graham Epstein Spyros Fabrikant David Friedman Noah Hubler
David Karpas Elizabeth Lackner Mima Obo Ezra Sackett Alec Sarche
*Ticket reservations must be made online or through the box office to guarantee a seat for films that you wish to attend using the Festival Pass and 10-Pack.
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
WELCOME FILM LOVERS, It’s hard to believe that the Denver Jewish Film Festival is turning 15! The festival has become a highly anticipated annual event for film lovers throughout our community. Responding to the growing enthusiasm, we have extended the festival so we can bring you even more films that showcase the very best in contemporary Jewish cinema. This year, due to the exciting expansion and renovation of our theatre, all of our films will be showing at the AMC Cherry Creek 8 in the Cherry Creek Mall. We are grateful to AMC and to the Cherry Creek Mall for offering us a terrific interim space for this year’s festival. In 2012, we will be back at home in the luxurious new Elaine Wolf Theatre. We have worked hard to make sure that during construction our patrons will enjoy a convenient and comfortable setting to view our films. While we break ground at MACC, you can enjoy some groundbreaking cinema just around the corner! We are privileged to have some of the best sponsors in the region, sponsors who truly make the festival possible. We are deeply grateful to Wagner Wealth Management for their second year of sponsorship. In addition, our other numerous sponsors have provided fertile ground for the extraordinary growth of the festival over the last few years. Our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for all they do to make us exceptional.
Here are some exciting highlights from this year’s schedule, our best film festival to date. Family feature, Maharal, is an adventure film set in Prague and is also part of Czech Point Denver, a community wide celebration of Czech culture. MACC’s Teen Film Board is sponsoring The Trotsky, a delightfully intelligent comedy. Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story really hits a home a run. The power of a simple act of generosity is revealed in Precious Life. Our Friday afternoon screening features an animated graphic novel Cohen on the Bridge along with Amnon’s Journey celebrating the restorative power of music. And Who Do You Love? will rock your socks off and roll you dancing into the aisles. Purchase a Festival Pass or a 10-Pack for tremendous discounts on admission. But note: they do not serve as tickets to individual films. The only way to guarantee admission is to reserve your tickets in advance for the screenings that you plan to attend. We encourage you to reserve your tickets early as films sell out. Join us on a cinematic journey that will inspire and enlighten, make us laugh, bring tears to our eyes and, above all, bring us together. See you at the movies!
Roberta Bloom Festival Director
Sharon Haber Festival Chair
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O P E N I N G N I G H T C E L E B R AT I O N 5
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
This Year the Denver Jewish Film Festival is Moving to the Mall!
OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION & FILM Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 Cherry Creek 8 Theatre, Cherry Creek Shopping Center 3000 E. 1st Ave. 6 p.m. Schmooze & Light Supper 7 p.m. Program & Film
Don’t miss the BIGGEST MACC party of the year as we launch our 15th year of presenting the best Jewish themed cinema in the area. Enjoy a light supper, connect with friends and help MACC in bringing quality cultural programs to our community. Remember proceeds from opening night benefit MACC (and a portion of the cost is tax deductible*). While our theatre is under renovation, our annual film festival, including our opening night celebration, is packing up and moving to the AMC Cherry Creek 8 Cinema located in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. This year’s Festival will be conveniently located just around the corner with easy, covered parking. We hope you will join us for our opening night party where festivities will include a great evening of food, fun, friends and fabulous film.
*If you purchase tickets before December 31, 2010, your deduction will qualify under the Colorado Child Care Credit.
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Director: Mariana Chenillo 2008/Mexico/90 minutes Spanish with English Subtitles
OPENING NIGHT FILM Thursday, Feb. 10 7 p.m. (following party) Also showing Monday, Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Ellen Beller Film Sponsor (Monday Screening) Elaine Gantz Berman & Steve Berman in honor of Sarita Gantz In-kind Sponsor Museo de las Americas
Nora’s Will is a provocative dark comedy that is accumulating numerous awards around the world. The life of Jose, Nora’s ex-husband, has been defined by his steadfast refusal to be constrained or controlled by expectations or conventions of others, whether his ex-wife, his grown son or religion. Nora’s life has been defined by her need to control others which would include her repeated efforts to commit suicide. When at last Nora succeeds in ending her life we learn that her ability to control others extends beyond her death. Her detailed plans to bring together those she loved are revealed. This thoughtful and humorous film about the complexities and challenges of love and forgiveness is a real gem. Colorado Premiere —Roberta Bloom Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Picture and six other awards, 52nd Mexican Ariel Awards; Best Film, Biarritz International Festival of Latin American Cinema; Audience Choice Award, Rockland County Jewish Film Festival; Jury Award (Best Director, Best First Film), LA Latino International Film Festival; Best Director, Moscow International Film Festival
OPENING NIGHT FILM
Nora’s Will
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(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Berlin ‘36 Director: Kaspar Heidelbach 2009/Germany/100 minutes German with English Subtitles
Saturday, Feb. 12 6:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Suzi & Bob Wagner In-Kind Sponsor Jewish Community Relations Council
The 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin stand out in history for the remarkable performances of Jesse Owens, the African-American track star whose four gold medals flew in the face of the Nazi belief in the superiority of the Aryan race. Beneath the headlines of the Owens story, another stunning drama was unfolding. Gretel Bergmann, a Jewish German high jumper banned by racial purity laws from training in Germany, wins the world championships in the United Kingdom. As international pressure to include Jews in at least the opportunity to try out for the German team mount, Nazi officials compel Bergmann to return to Germany and participate in the Olympic team. But will Nazi Germany allow a “Jewess” to outshine her Aryan sisters? Berlin 36 tells the untold story of Gretel Bergmann’s struggle to best both the Nazi Olympic committee’s bureaucracy and the mysterious competitor they dredged up to compete against her for the final spot on the team. Colorado Premiere —Steve Glickman Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Feature Film, Palm Springs International Film Festival; Toronto Jewish Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Bride Flight Director: Ben Sombogaart 2008/Netherlands/130 minutes Dutch with English Subtitles
Saturday, Feb. 12 8:40 p.m. Film Sponsor Sharon & Jeffrey Haber
Three young Dutch women, Ada, Esther and Marjorie, eager to escape the bleak circumstances of post-war Holland, embark on a journey to the opposite end of the world, New Zealand. They meet on the immigration flight - the Bride Flight - to their new country, where they are to join their fiancÊs, marry and begin new lives. During the flight, the three women form a friendship among themselves, and with Frank, an attractive young man whose dream is to build a winery. Upon arrival, they part ways to start their new lives. But, once settled in their new homeland, their paths cross in unexpected ways that impact the course of their lives. Reunited at a funeral 50 years later, new pieces of the puzzle of their lives fall into place, as they reexamine their decisions, the events of the past and what the future might hold. A vivid, moving exploration of what was, what might have been and what yet could be. Note: Adult Content. Colorado Premiere —Jeffrey Reiss Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Feature Film, Actress, Director, Screenplay, Cinematographer, Newport Beach Film Festival; Best Supporting Actress, Netherlands Film Festival; Best Co-production, Luxembourg Film Awards; Scottsdale Film Festival, Audience Choice for Best Film
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(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Simon Konianski Director: Micha Wald 2009/Belgium,France,Canada/100 minutes French w/ English subtitles
Sunday, Feb. 13 11:30 a.m. Film Sponsor Joanne Singer
Simon is a loser: at 35 he is moving in with his aging father. He is out of work, has a young boy with his dancer ex-girlfriend and he suffers from a serious case of jealousy over her current boyfriend. A bit of a pothead, he is prone to daydreaming about the ex and her sexual exploits with her new beau, a handsome dancer in her company. When Simon’s father Ernest passes away suddenly and leaves a last request to be buried back home in the Ukraine, what follows could be the love child of Little Miss Sunshine and National Lampoon’s Summer Vacation with a touch of Weekend at Bernie’s thrown in. Simon, his son (and his pet rabbit), Uncle Maurice, Aunt Mala and, of course, the corpse of Ernest, begin a journey to the village that is fraught with humor and absurdities. Start your Sunday with some laughter! Note: Adult Content. Colorado Premiere —Julie Schwarz Selected Festivals & Awards: Toronto Jewish Film Festival; U.K. Jewish Film Festival; Rome Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Maharal Director: Pavel Jandourek 2007/Czech Republic/100 minutes Czech with English Subtitles
Sunday, Feb. 13 1:45 p.m. Post Film Discussim with Scott Kinnamon, filmmaker and educator Film Sponsor Joan & Abbott Wallis: Bold Earth Adventures, Teenage Adventure Travel since 1976 This film is also part of the community wide program Czech Point Denver.
An ancient treasure. A secret book. A supernatural force. The perfect ingredients for an out of this world summer adventure. Alena is stuck in Prague for her summer vacation with her sister, Kristina, a history professor whose specialty in medieval times bores Alena to no end. Browsing a local used bookstore, the sisters stumble upon a book long thought to be a mythic invention and suddenly the 16th century Prague of legendary Rabbi Loew, the Maharal, suddenly doesn’t seem so dull. When the book disappears and the bookstore owner is found dead, the sisters realize they are not the only ones trying to solve the book’s cryptic instructions to the hidden treasure of an ancient king. Join Alena, Kristina and their misfit crew of would-be treasure hunters as they race to be the first to discover the secret of the Maharal’s book in this updated version of the classic Golem stories of Jewish folklore. Appropriate for ages 9 and up (must be able to read subtitles) Colorado Premiere —Steve Glickman Selected Festivals & Awards: Boston Jewish Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
The Trotsky Director: Jacob Tierney 2009/Canada/113 minutes English
Sunday, Feb. 13 4:15 p.m. Film Sponsor Rose Youth Foundation
Attempting to unionize his father’s factory, staging a walk-out at his high school and preparing to be exiled are just a few of Leon Bronstein’s (Jay Baruchel, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Knocked Up) senior year activities. After all, when you believe you are the reincarnation of the 20th century Soviet revolutionary figure Leon Trotsky (born Leon Bronstein), you are born with a mission to change the world. Equipped with a copy of Trotsky’s autobiography, My Life, and a post-it note timeline of major events in Trotsky’s life, young Leon is determined to live up to his destiny while discovering whether his classmates are truly apathetic or merely bored. Can he wake them from their slumber? This delightfully intelligent comedy is a call to action for today’s youth and a wake up call for those of us who may have become a bit too complacent. With Genevieve Bujold and Saul Rubinik. Recommended for high school students and adults. Colorado Premiere —Roberta Bloom Presented by MACC’s Teen Film Board and funded by the Rose Youth Foundation. The Teen Ticket includes admission to the social event following the film. Selected Festivals & Awards Tribeca Film Festival; Boston Jewish Film Festival; Seattle International Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
BOREDOM OR ? APATHY?
MOVIE AND A MIXER Featuring The Trotsky MACC’s Teen Film Board invites you to join them for the screening of The Trotsky and to try your luck at the Wheel of Revolution at the mixer following the movie!
Your special $12 Teen Ticket* includes:
Sunday, Feb. 13 Immediately following The Trotsky at 4 p.m. Sponsored by Rose Youth Foundation
• Admission to the film The Trotsky • Admission to the Exclusive Party –(Grades 9-12 only) • The opportunity to win $25 gift certificates • Music • Kosher food and beverages
Limited Edition T-shirts will be on sale for $10 *For tickets call the box office at (303) 316-6360. Get your tickets early while they are available! (Note: Teen tickets are not available on-line.)
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(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
War Against the Weak Director: Justin Strawhand 2009/USA/90 minutes English
Sunday, Feb. 13 6:45 p.m. Film Sponsor Jordon & Essie Perlmutter, Vicki & David Dansky, Lisa & Shell Cook, Lisa & Jay Perlmutter, Lisa & Jonathan Perlmutter
Award-winning Journalist, Edwin Black, shows that “...Nazi eugenics was derived from notions espoused by a self-chosen American elite, including some admired historical personages (Robert Wolfe)” in his detailed book about the little known American eugenics movement. In this documentary film, director Strawhand masterfully summarizes the historical account of this shameful attempt to eliminate 10% of the population for being weak or “inferior.” Viewers experience genuine shock when learning that the Carnegie and Rockefeller Foundations funded the research that led to the founding of the American Eugenics Society. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has a reputation as a prestigious institute for scientific research yet the film exposes its ties to early studies in eugenics, much of which was supported initially by President Theodore Roosevelt, Margaret Sanger and eventually, Adolf Hitler. This disturbing documentary has garnered numerous awards from coast to coast and will leave you with new insights into this period of American and world history. Colorado Premiere —Julie Schwarz Selected Festivals & Awards: Special Jury Award Best Feature Film , Beverly Hills Film Festival; Director’s Choice Best Documentary, Delray Beach Film Festival; First Prize Best Editing, Rhode Island Film Festival; Best Documentary, NJ Film Festival.
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Naomi Director: Eitan Tzur 2010/Israel/102 minutes Hebrew with English Subtitles
Monday, Feb. 14 5:30 p.m. Nora’s Will, Second Screening of Opening Night film (see page 6 for details.) 7:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Priscilla Press in memory of Joel Ehrlich
The May-December marriage of Ilhan, a 60-ish celebrity physics professor and his stunning, 28-ish wife, Naomi, seems headed for disaster. Naomi claims she is busy with a friend but Ilhan is convinced she is having an affair. He calls his mother to voice his concerns and she asks what he expected when he married a woman half his age. He becomes an amateur detective in an attempt to learn the truth about Naomi’s lover which leads to dire consequences. The irony of the fact that Ilhan’s best friend is a detective is not lost upon the viewer but his mother’s involvement lends a whole new meaning to the term, “Jewish Mother.” In this adaptation of Israel playwright, Edna Mazya’s, debut novel Love Burns, Director Tzur (an author of Tipul which inspired HBO’s “In Treatment” has crafted an Hitchcock homage with wry twists and turns. Colorado Premiere —Julie Schwarz Selected Festivals: Best Actress, Haifa Film Festival; Venice Film Festival
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(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
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Against the Tide Director: Richard M. Trank 2009/USA/98 minutes English
Tuesday, Feb. 15 5:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Howard & Hyla Greinetz In-kind Sponsor Holocaust Awareness Institute
Many of us are aware that the Allies in WWII refused to bomb the rail lines from all across Europe carrying their final victims to the Nazi death camps. Few of us however, know or recall that it was our own government and leaders of the Jewish establishment who created this unimaginable situation. Even before the war, when Hitler first began his efforts to eliminate the Jews of Europe, a lone figure acted to mobilize public opinion against our government's restrictions preventing Jewish immigration to America. This is the true story of the extraordinary efforts of one man, Peter Bergson, who rallies celebrities such as Ben Hecht, Paul Muni and Edward G. Robinson to arouse public opinion against the policies of President Roosevelt, Congress and the leadership of the Jewish establishment. The film brings to light what one person can accomplish through passion and dedication to doing what is right. Narrated by Dustin Hoffman. Colorado Premiere —Jeffrey Reiss
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story Director: Peter Miller 2010/USA/91 minutes English
Tuesday, Feb. 15 7:40 p.m. Film Sponsor Carol & Irwin Wagner In-kind Sponsor B’s Ballpark Museum
As the title implies, this fabulous documentary goes beyond the obvious names like Sandy Koufax, Hank Greenberg and Al Rosen, to give us a nuanced portrait of the relationship between Jews and baseball from the 1860s though today. Simultaneously embracing larger themes about immigration, assimilation and the courage to confront bigotry, this film takes a look at the passion Jews have for America’s favorite pastime from the contributions of major leaguers to the fans in the stands. The insightful script, created by retired NY Times Sports Columnist, Ira Berkow, is narrated by Dustin Hoffman. Playing to packed houses from coast to coast, reserve your tickets early for this treasure. Denver Area Premiere —Roberta Bloom Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Editing, Breckenridge Film Festival; Jerusalem International Film Festival; San Francisco Jewish Film Festival; Boston Jewish Film Festival
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(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Anita Director: Marcos Carnevale 2009, Argentina, 104 minutes Spanish
Wednesday, Feb. 16 5:30 p.m. Film Sponsor All About Braces/Advanced Choice Braces & Dr. Hilary & Rabbi Eliot Baskin In-kind Sponsor Museo de las Americas
Anita Feldman, a young woman with Down syndrome, lives with her mother (Oscar Nominee Norma Aleandro) in Buenos Aires when suddenly their quiet life is destroyed forever by events in the outside world. For the Feldmans, and for hundreds of others, everything changes on July 18, 1994, when a car bomb explodes in front of the AMIA Jewish Community Center. When her mother does not return home, Anita, alone and confused, sets out to locate her. Wandering the city, she finds compassion in unlikely quarters learning not only how to care for herself, but touching the lives of those she encounters, from an alcoholic man to a family of Asian immigrants. Alejandra Manzo, an actress living with Down syndrome, gives a deeply moving performance in the title role. Completely captivating, Anita is a profoundly hopeful story of human innocence, compassion and resilience in a troubled world. Colorado Premiere —Jeffrey Reiss Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Supporting Actress, Film Academy Argentina; Best Film and Audience Awards, LA Latino International Film Festival; Independent Film Award, New York; Audience Award, Best Narrative Film, Pittsburgh Jewish Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Brothers Director: Igaal Niddam 2008/Switzerland/113 minutes Hebrew and Spanish with English Subtitles
Wednesday, Feb. 16 7:40 p.m. Film Sponsor Joanne & Art Kleinstein & Family
The pastoral world of secular kibbutznik Dan is suddenly interrupted when his estranged brother Aaron re-enters his life. An Orthodox lawyer and Torah scholar living in NY, he has arrived in Israel to defend the right of yeshiva students to refuse to join the army. As the estranged brothers fill in the missing pieces of each others history, they are forced to confront the choices, values and events that have kept them apart for many years. When the public court case escalates the tensions between their religious and secular views, the personal conflict between Aaron and Dan threatens to destroy the thread of connection the brothers have just reestablished. Brothers offers a nuanced, compelling glimpse into the complex and difficult challenges of reconciling Israel’s commitment to both religious Jewish values and secular democratic ideals. Colorado Premiere —Steve Glickman Selected Festivals & Awards: Audience Choice for Best Feature Film, San Diego Jewish Film Festival; Pittsburgh Jewish-Israeli Film Festival
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(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Precious Life Director: Shlomi Eldar 2010/Israel, 85 minutes Hebrew and Arabic with English Subtitles
Thursday, Feb. 17 5:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Margery Goldman & Lynda Goldstein
A four-month-old boy born without an immune system will die without a bone marrow transplant, a procedure that can be done easily in an Israeli hospital. But Mohammad Abu Mustafa is Palestinian, living in Gaza. His Israeli doctor works with journalist/filmmaker, Shlomi Eldar, to reach out to the Israeli public to raise the necessary funds for the operation. But raising the money and finding the right bone marrow donor only leads to additional and complex dilemmas and conflicts for all involved. This provocative film has won international acclaim for its clear depiction of the personal toll of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict, and is now on the short list for the Oscar for best documentary. Denver Area Premiere —Roberta Bloom “Magnificent documentary puts a human face on the Arab-Israeli conflict.” Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter Selected Festivals Awards: Best Documentary, Israeli Ophir Awards; Jerusalem International Film Festival; Telluride Film Festival; Toronto International Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The Matchmaker Director: Avi Nesher 2010/Israel/118 minutes Hebrew with English subtitles
Thursday, Feb. 17 7:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Marcia & Bernie Karshmer
The Matchmaker is a compelling story of love, loss and survival set in Haifa in the summer of 1968. Here lives intersect as 16- year-old Arik moves between two worlds. In one, he works part-time for an old friend of his father, the mysterious matchmaker Yankele Bride. This is a surreal world of survivors trying to conceive of a future while unable to fully free themselves from the past. The matchmaker’s office is located behind a movie theatre run by a family of dwarves, which shows only love stories. But Arik’s family lives in a different part of Haifa and when his friend’s cousin Tamara returns from America, Arik finds himself unexpectedly caught up in the sexual revolution of the sixties. These two worlds collide in unpredictable and sometimes humorous ways. This is a very unique and sensitive film full of metaphor and great depth and, ultimately, a message of hope and resilience. Colorado Premiere —Roberta Bloom Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Actor and Best Actress, Israeli Ophir Awards; Opening Night Selection, LA Israeli Film Festival; Toronto International Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Cohen on the Bridge
(303) 316-6360 • www.maccjcc.org
Director: Andrew Wainrib 2009/USA/20 minutes, English
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Our Sages teach us that when one saves a life, it is as though one saved a universe. Cohen on the Bridge brings this lesson to life in its vivid and unique retelling of the Israeli 1976 commando raid at Entebbe, Uganda, in which the Israeli Defense Forces rescued 100 hostages taken from a hijacked Air France flight. Eschewing the traditional conventions of documentary filmmaking, Director Andrew Wainrib approaches the story of the Entebbe rescue through the eyes of a graphic novelist. Wainrib’s intimate access to the participants in the raid and his visionary animation combine to create a stunning sensory and emotional portrait of courage, camaraderie and the value of a single life. Colorado Premiere
Friday, Feb. 18 3 p.m. Film Sponsor The Reiss Family: Jeffrey, Shira, Tory & Elie
Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Documentary Short at the St Louis International Film Festival; Atlanta Jewish Film Festival; Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Amnon’s Journey Director: Jean Marie Hosatte 2009/USA/56 minutes, French, Hebrew & English W/English Subtitles It is said that there is a spark of divinity in every piece of the material world. Amnon Weinstein is a master luthier with a passion for recovering and refurbishing violins of Jews who perished in the Shoah. For Weinstein, the physical violin carries with it the souls and the stories of the musicians who’ve played it, and recuperating Holocaust violins keeps these souls and stories alive. Culminating in a concert at the old city of Jerusalem featuring 19 of Weinstein’s recuperated instruments, Amnon’s Journey is a moving portrait of a man with mission to keep the memories of the Holocaust victims alive and well through the power of music. Colorado Premiere —Steve Glickman Selected Festivals & Awards: Seattle International Film Festival; Seattle Jewish Film Festival
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Maya Director: Michal Bat Adam 2009/Israel/89 minutes Hebrew with English subtitles
Saturday, Feb. 19 6:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Julie & Saul Schwarz
Maya is a beautiful young actress working as a waitress. A fateful encounter with a director of a play leads to the role of a life time, the part of a girl who undergoes a traumatic experience. Maya’s preparation for the part pushes her to walk a fine line between reality and theatre and at times, the distinction between stage and real-life become blurred. The intensity of the drama is balanced with humorous moments and ironic parallel story lines. Actress Ben-Shlush is fresh and believable as Maya. Colorado Premiere —Julie Schwarz Selected Festivals & Awards: Opening Night Selection, Boston Jewish Film Festival; Houston International Film Festival; Israel Film Festival, LA
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GRAND FINALE
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
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Who Do You Love? Director: Jerry Zaks 2008/USA/90 minutes English
Saturday, Feb. 19 8:30 p.m. Film followed by a dessert reception Grand Finale Sponsor MorEvents (Betsy & Gareth Heyman) In-Kind Sponsor KUVO/KVJZ
What do Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Howkin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker and Little Walter have in common? Chess Records, the label that helped shape blues and rock-n-roll music as we know them. Who Do You Love tells the story of Leonard and Phil Chess, two Polish-born Jewish immigrants who dared to dream big – and made it there, riding the highs and lows of life in the fast lane from putting it all on the line with a single record to becoming one the biggest, most influential record companies in the world of popular music. So slick your hair back, put on your boogie shoes and crank the volume up – Who Do You Love will rock your socks off and roll you dancing into the aisles. Colorado Premiere —Steve Glickman Selected Festivals & Awards: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Ahead of Time Director: Rob Richman 2009/USA/73 minutes English
Sunday, Feb. 20 12:30 p.m. Post Film Discussion with Producer Zeva Oelbaum Film Sponsor Celeste & Jack Grynberg Speaker Sponsor Gay & Barry Curtiss-Lusher
Ruth Gruber recently turned 99 and who better to inspire, educate and illuminate significant events of the 20th Century than this brilliant, articulate woman who was truly “ahead of her time.” At the age of 20, Brooklyn-born Ruth was youngest person in the world to receive a doctorate which she completed in just one year at the University of Cologne. Ruth describes the moment when she heard Adolph Hitler speak in person, an event impacting her later endeavors as foreign correspondent, photo journalist and, during World War II, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes. Gruber was the first journalist to enter the Soviet Arctic in 1935, reported on the “Exodus,” the Nuremberg Trials, the formation of the State of Israel and, in 1944, escorted Holocaust refugees to America. In his directorial debut, Richman, who previously won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for Cinematography, allows his fascinating subject to “tell” her own story through interviews, lectures and archival footage. Denver Area Premiere —Julie Schwarz “You couldn’t invent Ruth Gruber...not even in a movie.” Richard Holbrooke, Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Selected Festivals & Awards: Best Documentary Berkshire International Film Festival; Toronto International Film Festival; Full Frame Documentary Film Festival; Seattle International Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The “Socalled” Movie Director: Garry Beitel 2010/ Canada/86 minutes English
Sunday, Feb. 20 2:30 p.m. Post Film Discussion with Socalled (aka Josh Dolgin) Film Sponsor Sandy Wolf In-kind Sponsor Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver
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Filmmaker Garry Beitel presents us with an intriguing documentary about an unusual young artist. Eighteen unique segments come together to present a of portrait of “Socalled,” a brilliant, creative “Jew Funk” performer whose music video “You are Never Alone,” has had over 2,400,000 hits on youtube. Beitel succeeds in his aim to reveal the full range of Dolgin’s talents, not just as a musician, but also as a cartoonist, magician and filmmaker. The audience gets a taste of Socalled’s music with clips of concert performances from the Apollo Theater, Olympia Hall in Paris and other locales and comes away with an image of a man relentlessly possessed by a restless imagination. Colorado Premiere —Julie Schwarz Selected Festivals & Awards: San Francisco Jewish Film Festival; Athens International Film Festival; Boston Jewish Film Festival
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
“Arab Labor” Director: Roni Ninio 2009/Israel/70 minutes/Hebrew, Arabic (Hebrew/English Subtitles) Returning for a second season of hilarity and exceptional satire is the popular Israeli sitcom, “Arab Labor.” Be ready for more belly laughs when the father moves his family into a Jewish neighborhood so his children can attend a Jewish elementary school. Inexplicably, every dog in his Jewish apartment building barks and howls whenever he enters the hallway. Three new episodes, each guaranteed to have you rolling in the aisles.
Sayed Kashua: Forever Scared Sunday, February 20
Director: Dorit Zimbalist 2009/Israel/52 minutes, Hebrew and Arabic with English Subtitles
5 p.m. “Arab Labor” Sponsor Dan Recht & Rick Kornfeld Recht Kornfeld, P.C. and Sayed Kashua Film Sponsor Roet Realty: Reputation for Results
Despite his enormous success, Sayed Kashua doesn't belong. This intimate portrait of a writer who is a loving husband and father of two, follows the Israeli-Arab author and scriptwriter through the tumultuous events that buffet his life. Jews don’t like him because he’s an Arab, Arabs don't like him because he’s successful and they think he's a collaborator. Always viewed as 'The Other,’ always scared. “I’m scared of cars, of dogs, of snakes; I’m scared of airplanes, helicopters, tanks and soldiers. I’m scared of terrorist attacks. I’m scared of Jews, I’m scared of Arabs, I’m scared that someday, they’ll put us all in refugee camps.” (Sayed Kashua, Haaretz, 2002). Discover the complex man behind the comedic “Arab Labor.” Colorado Premiere —Jeffrey Reiss Selected Festivals & Awards: UK Jewish Film Festival; Toronto Jewish Film Festival; Berlin Jewish Film Festival
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The Roundup (La Rafle) Director: Roselyne Bosch 2010/France,Germany,Hungary/124 minutes French and Hebrew with English subtitles
Sunday, Feb. 20 7:30 p.m. Film Sponsor Ricky & Don Safer In-kind Sponsor Holocaust Awareness Institute Followed by announcement of Audience Choice Awards for Best Documentary & Best Feature Film
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La Rafle is a moving story based upon a dark period in French history. Unaware of the forces at play, French Jewish citizens have placed their trust in the Vichy Government. Behind the scenes, the French government is cutting deals with the Nazis. While the extent of the French collaboration is exposed, we also meet a few individuals of courage and genuine compassion. This powerful drama offers outstanding performances by a cast of stars including Jean Reno (The Da Vinci Code, Leon: The Professional) and MÊlanie Laurent (Inglourious Bastards, The Concert). Supported by the highest production values, The Roundup was a tremendous box office success in France in early 2010 and opened the Jerusalem Film Festival in July. Colorado Premiere —Roberta Bloom Selected Festivals & Awards: Opening Night Selection, Jerusalem Film Festival
2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
P R I N T SO U R C ES Against the Tide Moriah Films Athena Demos ademos@wiesenthal.net Ahead of Time Honey Do LLC Zeva Oelbaum zeva@zevaphoto.com Amnon’s Journey Blue Press Agency Sylvie Sanabria sylvie.sanabria@bluepressagency.com Anita Menemsha Films Neil Friedman neilf@menemshafilms.com “Arab Labor” Go2films hedva@go2films.com
Berlin ‘36 Corinth Films John Poole Jr. sales@corinthfilms.com
Bride Flight Music Box Films pblake@musicboxfilms.com
Naomi EZ Films elie@meirovitz.com
Brothers Troubadour Films info@troubadour-films.com
Nora’s Will Menemsha Films Neil Friedman neilf@menemshafilms.com
Cohen on the Bridge Andrew Wainrib aw@cotbfilm.com Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story Seventh Art Releasing Oliver Ike oliver@7thart.com Maharal Czech Television Kavci Hory Jitkaprochazkova@cesketelevize.cz Maya Israeli Films Dov Gil Har israelifilms@gmail.com
Precious Life Bleiberg Entertainment Nick Donnemeyer Nick@bleibergent.com Simon Konianski Israeli Films Dov Gilhar info@israelifilms.com The Matchmaker Menemsha Films Neil Friedman neilf@menemshafilms.com
The Roundup (La Rafle) Menemsha Films Neil Friedman neilf@menemshafilms.com Sayed Kashua: Forever Scared Ruth Films Ruth Diskin ruth@ruthfilm.com The “Socalled” Movie Kino Lorber Kate Brokaw kbrokaw@kinolorber.com The Trotsky Tribeca Enterprises Liz Spaulding lspaulding@tribecaenterprises.com War Against the Weak Endless Films pete@wathmovie.com Who Do You Love? Jonathan Mitchell Jem@mitchellinvest.us
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2011 DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL FESTIVAL SPONSOR Wagner Wealth Management
OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR Ellen Beller
PRODUCERS Colorado Creative Industries Udi’s Handcrafted Foods
Sharon & Jeffrey Haber Marcia & Bernie Karshmer Joanne & Art Kleinstein & Family Priscilla Press in memory of Joel Ehrlich Dan Recht & Rick Kornfeld, Recht Kornfeld, P.C. The Reiss Family: Jeffrey, Shira, Tory & Elie Roet Realty: Reputation for Results Ricky & Don Safer Julie & Saul Schwarz The Strear Family Foundation Carol & Irwin Wagner Suzi & Bob Wagner Sandy Wolf
FANS GRAND FINALE SPONSOR MorEvents (Betsy & Gareth Heyman)
Joan & Abbott Wallace, Bold Earth Adventures, Teenage Adventure Travel since 1976
MOVIE STARS
IN-KIND SUPPORT
Jordon & Essie Perlmutter, Vicki & David Dansky, Lisa & Shell Cook, Lisa & Jay Perlmutter, Lisa & Jonathan Perlmutter Rose Youth Foundation Joanne Singer
Starz Entertainment Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado B’s Ballpark Museum Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver Colorado Public Radio Holocaust Awareness Institute Jewish Community Relations Council KUVO/KVJZ Museo de las Americas
FILM BUFFS All About Braces/Advanced Choice Braces & Dr Hilary & Rabbi Eliot Baskin Elaine Gantz Berman & Steve Berman in honor of Sarita Gantz Gay & Barry Curtiss-Lusher Margery Goldman Lynda Goldstein Howard & Hyla Greinetz Celeste & Jack Grynberg
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The 15th Annual Denver Jewish Film Festival is made possible through the generosity of the following corporate and non-profit sponsors:
Mizel Arts and Culture Center
macc at the jcc
SCFD
RECHTKORNFELD PC
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MACC Board of Directors Ellen Beller (Chair) Vicki Dansky Evan Dechtman Dana Melmed Friedman Sharon Haber Terry Heller Marcia Karshmer Andy Levy Robyn Loup Charlie Miller Kathy Neustadt Jeffrey Reiss Dottie Resnick Don Safer Joanne Singer Steven Stark (Treasurer) Elaine Tinter Carol Wagner
MACC STAFF Executive Artistic Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Wilson DJFF Director & MACC Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . Roberta Bloom Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily MacIntyre Assistant Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Whitcraft Special Projects & Director of JAAMM Fest . . . . . . . Michael Friedman Exhibitions Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Simon Zalkind Administrative Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Juliana Guillen Administrative Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brynn Starr Coplan Projectionist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rufus Wright Marketing Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janice Silver Assistant Marketing Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Korsen Creative Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Bee Graphic Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Hoffman Web Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Bahl
Mizel Arts and Culture Center
macc at the jcc
Mizel Arts and Culture Center
macc at the jcc
THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
MACC Adult Art Academy
Let Your Light Shine and Your Legacy Live On.
• Year-round classes and workshops • Pottery and Ceramics • Painting and Drawing • Professional Visual Artist-Educators • Two fully equipped studios • Daytime and evening classes*
Join a special group of people who have made a commitment to illuminating the future of the JCC and MACC by naming us in their estate plans or making a life income gift. To learn how you can become a Live On Society member please contact: Nichole Scott at (303) 316-6387 or nscott@jccdenver.org Mizel Arts and Culture Center
For a complete listing of our offerings visit www.maccjcc.org or call (303) 316-6360.
macc at the jcc
*Evening only, summer term
Filmmaking for Youth Grades 7—12 (ages 12–18) Tuesdays, 4—5:30 p.m. Feb. 8—May 24 & Sun., Feb. 13, 1:15—3:15 p.m. (No class April 19 and 26) Greinetz Art Studio 13 sessions: $299/JCC; $359/Non-member Instructor: Educational Media Organization/Scott Kinnamon Video is, undoubtedly, the pre-eminent storytelling medium of our age, particularly true of the generation now coming of age. In this dynamic workshop, teens will have the opportunity to make their own videos, discover their creative voice and use it to tell a story of their choosing. All equipment will be provided to guide participants through scriptwriting, storyboarding, directing, shooting, scoring and editing their video. Beginning students, as well as those with some filmmaking background, will find this to be a valuable and enjoyable creative experience with applications to school projects and presentations, as well as personal aesthetic expression. Please note: the Sunday session includes admission to the screening of the film festival’s Maharal (see film description on page 10). The class will convene in the lobby prior to the film, view the film together and stay through the post-film discussion.
Is Your Child Bursting with Creative Energy? MACC provides year-round theatre and art classes for children grades preK–12! Explore possibilities such as Creative Dramatics, Playmaking & Set Design, Pottery & Sculpture, Painting, Cartooning, Performance Workshops and much more! There are still openings for winter/spring classes and registration for our popular summer classes starts soon. Mizel Arts and Culture Center
macc at the jcc
For more info on how to register call (303) 316-6360 or visit www.maccjcc.org
For more information visit www.maccjcc.org or call (303) 316-6360.
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C e l e b r a t i n g 2 5 Ye a r s o f M u s i c S t a r t Yo u r D a y W i t h S o m e t h i n g To S a y ! Celeste Headlee, John Hockenberry, Carlos Lando, Nathan Heffel
TUNE IN!
Monday–Friday 5am–8am
STORY IDEAS: thetakeaway@kuvo.org
Bellerglass.com Photo by Eric Stephenson
Mizel Arts & Culture Center at the JCC 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver, CO 80246-8102
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