2019 Jewish Film Festival Brochure

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MARCH 6-17, 2019

Naiditch Family Foundation

CELEBRATING OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY

18+

FABULOUS FILMS!

OPENING NIGHT SPECIAL GUESTS FILM MAKER JEREMY NEWBERGER BASEBALL PLAYERS RYAN LAVARNWAY DEAN KREMER JEREMY BLEICH

MARCH

16-21 CLOSING EVENT

2015

SPECIAL GUEST

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JOHN PAULSON


Welcome

We are exceedingly proud to present a premiere line-up of 18 truly outstanding and diverse films that will excite, enlighten and provoke you, our audience. This year, the JFF is celebrating its 10th anniversary. As a special treat, each feature film will be preceded by an animated short created by a student from the Ringling College of Art + Design. The Jewish Film Festival is one of many programs sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee in pursuit of its mission:

To strengthen Jewish life and identity in our community, provide for Jewish people in need, and promote support for Israel. Jewish Film Festival Founder and Honorary Chair Roz Goldberg 2019 Jewish Film Festival Co-Chairs Fran Braverman and Cheryl Shapiro Event Chairs Opening Night - Bunny Skirboll Closing Event - Gloria Feibus

PLEASE SHARE THE EXCITEMENT WITH US!

? Become a Sponsor! ? Buy Individual Tickets!

Volunteer Chair Ronnie Riceberg JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING COMMITTEE Roberta Berson, Fran Braverman, Jack Braverman, Geri Drexler, Lenny Drexler, Meredith Ernst, Eric Faerber, Esme Faerber, Helen Glaser, Len Glaser, Barbara Horowitz, Barbara Jacob, Andi Munzer, Bob Munzer, Susan Newmark, Ilene O’Connell, Ronnie Riceberg, Nadia Ritter, Lori Ruland, Cheryl Shapiro, Lois Stulberg, Evans Tilles, Janet Tolbert and Frank Tucciarone ANIMATED SHORTS COMMITTEE Susan Bednarek, Mark Briefman, Jennifer Eisenberg, Marsha Eisenberg, Donna Galvin, Megan Udell


2019 JEWISH

FILM FESTIVAL

Thank You

TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS FEDERATION TORCH SPONSORS EDIE AND DAVID CHAIFETZ | LEON R. AND MARGARET M. ELLIN DEBBIE AND LARRY HASPEL | NAIDITCH FAMILY FOUNDATION THE ROSENTHAL ROOTS FAMILY FOUNDATION BUNNY AND MORT SKIRBOLL | HADASSAH AND MARTIN STROBEL

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR SHELLY AND SY GOLDBLATT

BRONZE SPONSORS DR. LOUIS AND MRS. MILLY CHAYKIN CHERYL AND STEVE SHAPIRO

MEDIA SPONSORS


SPECIAL GUESTS AND EVENTS OPENING NIGHT

CLOSING EVENT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 7PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 3PM

SARASOTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

BEATRICE FRIEDMAN THEATER

Our Opening Night Screening will feature Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel, a stirring story of sports, patriotism and personal growth.

Our Closing Event will feature a screening of The Mamboniks. Executive Producer John Paulson will be our special guest along with Mambo inspired music, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Mr. Paulson is a producer, director, editor and cinematographer. His recent production, Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like, aired on PBS and was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards. Other credits include JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala, the story of the preInauguration Gala for President Kennedy, and the Emmy Awardwinning Les Paul: Chasing Sound, a biography of the legendary guitarist and inventor that was part of the PBS American Masters series.

Joining us on Opening Night will be filmmaker Jeremy Newberger along with catcher Ryan Lavarnway, pitcher Dean Kremer (one of two Israelis on the team) and pitcher Jeremy Bleich. There will be a question and answer opportunity after the screening with our special guests. Sponsor Party at 5:30 pm will be held in the tent behind the auditorium. Join us for a meet and greet with our special guests, and enjoy cocktails and dinner.

The Optimists

“Our mission is to turn on the light and conquer the darkness” Narrator: Mandy Patinkin Director: Eliezer Yaari Producer: Irit Ambar

www.theoptimists.co.il

(Ayelet Eshchar, Kibbutz Ketura, Israel)


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WEDNESDAY MARCH

7:00pm OPENING NIGHT SARASOTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

TUES., MARCH 12 H11, #7 • 4:00pm

87 minutes English

HEADING HOME -

THE TALE OF TEAM ISRAEL

A stirring story of sports, patriotism and personal growth, Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel charts the underdog journey of Israel’s national baseball team competing for the first time in the World Baseball Classic. After years of defeat, Team Israel is finally ranked among the world’s best in 2017, eligible to compete in the prestigious international tournament. Their line-up included several Jewish American Major League players—Ike Davis, Josh Zeid and exBraves catcher Ryan Lavarnway—most with a tenuous relationship to Judaism, let alone having ever set foot in Israel. Their odyssey takes them from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem where they are greeted as heroes, to Seoul where they must debunk their has-been, wannabe reputations. With their Mensch on the Bench mascot by their side, the team laughs, cries, and does much soul-searching, discovering the pride of representing Israel on the world stage.

Best Documentary of Jewish Arts and Film Festival of Fairfield County, 2018 Audience Award, Philadelphia JFF, 2018 Audience Award, Washington, DC JFF, 2018 Best 10 Documentary, Boca Raton JFF, 2018

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7

THURSDAY MARCH

H11, #5 • 1:00pm

MON., MARCH 11 H11, #5 • 1:00pm THURS., MARCH 14 H11, #7 • 7:45pm

54 minutes Hebrew, with English subtitles

THE OPTIMISTS

The Optimists tells the story of Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, a Palestinian chemist, who relocates with his family to Kibbutz Ketura in the southern Arava, in order to become the Academic Director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. The Arava Institute was founded 20 years ago on Kibbutz Ketura to advance cross-border environmental cooperation by bringing together Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians and others in an academic program that teaches that “nature knows no borders.” The documentary reveals how the kibbutz manages to maintain the essence of kibbutz life and mutual support, focusing on a few key figures on the kibbutz and in the Arava Institute. It also explores whether the optimistic spirit embodied by this collective kibbutz can survive and thrive in today’s Israeli society, and whether its liberal orientation can absorb Muslim Arab Israelis. Nominee, Best Documentary, Jerusalem Cinematic Hanukkah JFF, 2018

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THURSDAY MARCH

7

H11, #5 • 3:00pm

MON., MARCH 11 H11, #7 • 12:00pm FRI., MARCH 15 H11, #6 • 1:00pm

90 minutes

English

93QUEEN

93Queen is set in the Hasidic enclave of Borough Park, Brooklyn, where EMS corps have long been the province of men. Though the neighborhood is home to the largest volunteer ambulance corps in the world, known as Hatzolah, that organization has steadfastly banned women from its ranks. This engaging documentary follows a group of tenacious Hasidic women who are smashing the patriarchy in their community by creating Ezras Nashim, the first allfemale volunteer ambulance corps in New York City. With unprecedented and insider access, this film follows the formation and launch of Ezras Nashim through the organization’s first year on the ground. It offers up a unique portrayal of empowered women who are taking matters into their own hands to change their own community from within.

Official Selection, Hot Docs, 2018

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THURSDAY MARCH

7

H11, #5 • 7:00pm

THURS., MARCH 7 H11, #6 • 7:00pm TUES., MARCH 12 H11, #5 • 12:00pm TUES., MARCH 12 H11, #6 • 12:00pm FRI., MARCH 15 H11, #7 • 3:00pm

93 minutes

English, Hebrew, Arabic with English subtitles

SHELTER

Mossad agent Naomi is called back from sick leave and assigned to a “babysitting” job. Under a new identity, she heads to Germany to protect Mona, a beautiful Lebanese informant, whom special agents have pulled from her country and hidden in a Hamburg safe house while she recovers from plastic surgery. Naomi soon learns that Mona is very close to a top Hezbollah leader, a man she betrayed and who is dead-set on exacting revenge. During the two weeks they spend together, an unexpected bond forms between the two women, forged from shared risks and a deep understanding of loss. But in this high-stakes game of deception, questions of fate may be out of their control.

Official Selection, Haifa Film Festival, 2017 Official Selection, Warsaw Film Festival, 2017 Official Selection, Palm Springs International Film Festival, 2018 8

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THURSDAY MARCH

7

H11, #6 • 12:00pm

WED., MARCH 13 H11, #6 • 12:00pm FRI., MARCH 15 H11, #5 • 12:00pm

96 minutes Spanish, with English subtitles

THE LIGHT OF HOPE

This is the harrowingly true story of Elisabeth Eidenbenz, who was awarded the status of Righteous Among the Nations by the Israeli government in 2002 for her role as founder of the Mothers of Elne, which saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish mothers and children during WWII. In the early 1940’s, European refugees, including countless Jewish women and children, sought shelter as they escaped persecution by the Nazis and Franco’s regime in Spain. Refugee camps were in horrendous condition, leaving women and children dying from malnutrition or disease. An appalled Elisabeth decides to convert an abandoned mansion in Elne into a maternity home, providing the refugees shelter, thus saving them from certain death. Soon however, Gestapo agents grow suspicious and demand she hand over all Jewish refugees and their children or be imprisoned. Elisabeth, the mothers, and their supporters will do everything in their power to prevent it. Best Movie, Gaudi Awards, 2018 Audience Award, Festival de Luchon, 2017 Best Actress Award, Noemie Schmidt Schweizer Fernsehfilmpreis, 2017 9


THURSDAY MARCH

7

H11, #6 • 3:00pm

MON., MARCH 11 H11, #6 • 12:00pm TUES., MARCH 12 H11, #6 • 3:00pm

94 minutes

English

KEEP THE CHANGE

David, an upper-class charmer, leads a very comfortable life until he is mandated to attend a support group for adults with disabilities. There, he is forced to come to terms with his own high-functioning autism, despite his resentment towards being singled out as different, or anything other than what he interprets as ‘normal.’ In group, David is paired with Sarah — a quirky and outgoing woman whose optimism initially irks David— and the two take a trip together to the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite their contrasting personalities, they forge a bond. As their relationship deepens, Sarah, confident in herself and her individuality, challenges David to embrace his own uniqueness. An endearing and naturalistic romantic comedy about people navigating the difficulties of a relationship, Keep the Change details an underrepresented community with authenticity, optimism and humor. Best U.S. Narrative Director, Tribeca Film Festival, 2017 Special Mention, Nora Ephron Prize, Tribeca Film Festival, 2017 10


7

THURSDAY MARCH

H11, #7 • 12:00pm

TUE., MARCH 12 H11, #5 • 7:00pm WED., MARCH 13 H11, #5 • 4:00pm

109 minutes Hebrew, English, German with English subtitles

PAST LIFE

Two Israeli sisters, the daughters of Holocaust survivors, unravel the shocking truth about their father’s murky wartime experiences in this hybrid detective thriller and heart-tugging drama. Set in historic 1977, the film centers on combative liberal journalist, Nana, and her younger sister, Sephi, a soprano and aspiring classical music composer. After a choral performance in West Berlin, Sephi is traumatized by a startling encounter with an elderly Polish woman who angrily accuses her father of murder. As guilty secrets and troubling revelations are dredged up, the film boldly charts dangerous emotional territory, still very much part of the Israeli collective subconscious. The film’s polished period details, rich-hued cinematography and handsome production design are further served by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.

Nominated for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Music, Israeli Film Academy, 2017 Nominee, Main Competition, Careimage, 2016 11


THURSDAY MARCH

7

H11, #7 • 4:00pm

FRI., MARCH 8 H11, #7 • 12:00pm WED., MARCH 13 H11, #7 • 12:00pm

93 minutes

English

THE SAMUEL PROJECT

This comedic drama is about a teenager who gets to know his grandfather, Samuel, for the first time when he makes him the subject of a senior year animated art project. With dreams of becoming a professional artist, the teen discovers that his grandpa, a Jewish dry cleaner, was heroically saved from Nazi capture in Germany by a young woman when he was a boy. After hesitating, Samuel agrees to tell his story for the project—a story he hasn’t told in over 75 years. In the end, Eli’s project makes the finals in a countywide art showcase where he unveils his animated ‘Samuel Project’ with the help of his unlikely friend Kasim, an electric guitar wielding school misfit. And after decades, three generations of Eli’s family finally connect with one another.

Audience Award, Best Narrative Feature, Los Angeles JFF, 2018 Official Selection, Heartland International Film Festival, 2018 12


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THURSDAY MARCH

H11, #7 • 7:45pm

WED., MARCH 13 TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 7:00pm THUR., MARCH 14 H11, #5 • 3:00pm THURS., MARCH 14 H11, #6 • 3:00pm

86 minutes Spanish/German/Polish Yiddish with English subtitles

THE LAST SUIT

Eighty-eight-year-old Holocaust survivor Abraham Bursztein is about to be put out to pasture by his children, who have sold his house in the suburbs of Buenos Aires and booked him into a retirement home. Refusing to bow to family pressure, he sets off on an adventure from which he doesn’t expect to return. Fueled by a sense of duty, and a quest for closure and fulfillment, Abraham decides that the moment has come to fulfill a promise and seek out an old friend. With assistance from a cast of kindly strangers, the sharply-dressed suit maker travels by train across Europe from Spain to Poland, in search of the man who saved him from certain death at Auschwitz. Undeterred by a series of travel mishaps, family foibles and geographical obstacles along the way, the hard edges of the cantankerous Abraham gradually soften. Heartfelt and charming, the film exudes a poignant message of the enduring importance of family, friends and honor. Audience Award, Atlanta JFF, 2018 Audience Award, Miami Film Festival, 2018 Audience Award, San Francisco JFF, 2018 13


FRIDAY MARCH

8

H11, #5 • 12:00pm

TUES., MARCH 12 H11, #7 • 7:00pm WED., MARCH 13 H11, #6 • 3:00pm WED., MARCH 13 H11, #7 • 3:00pm

117 minutes

Hebrew/English/German with English subtitles

THE CAKEMAKER

Thomas, a young German baker, is having an affair with Oren, an Israeli married man who has frequent business visits in Berlin. When Oren dies in a car crash in Israel, Thomas travels to Jerusalem seeking answers regarding his death. Under a fabricated identity, Thomas infiltrates into the life of Anat, his lover’s newly widowed wife, who owns a small café in downtown Jerusalem. Thomas starts to work for her and create German cakes and cookies that help her business thrive and her son overcome his grief. Thomas finds himself involved in Anat’s life in a way far beyond his anticipation, and to protect the truth he will stretch his lie to a point of no return.

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Best Film, Ophir Awards, 2018 Oscar Nomination, Israeli submission, 2019 Official Selection, San Sebastian IFF, 2017 Official Selection, London BFI, 2017


FRIDAY MARCH

8

H11, #6 • 2:30pm

WED., MARCH 13 H11, #6 • 7:00pm WED., MARCH 13 H11, #7 • 7:00pm FRI., MARCH 15 H11, #5 • 3:00pm

162 minutes

Danish with English subtitles

A FORTUNATE MAN

On his quest for happiness, Per decides to leave Jutland, Denmark, and an upbringing in a strict religious home. He runs from his family and his patriarch father, and sets sail towards Copenhagen to become an engineer. Parallel to his studies, he works on a visionary energy project based on wind and wave energy, a project so much ahead of its time that professors consider him insane and far too self-confident. However, Per’s project becomes a success and he marries the beautiful Jakobe, who is a part of a wealthy Jewish family. One would imagine that Per’s happiness now is made. But Per’s childhood keeps haunting him and his dogmatic family cannot accept his new life. Despite his luck and success, Per is unable to fully cut the strings to his strict religious background, and he now fears that he will repeat his father’s patriarchist behavior.

One of three films shortlisted to be the Danish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards. 13 15


FRIDAY MARCH

8

H11, #6 • 12:00pm

TUES., MARCH 12 H11, #6 • 7:45pm THUR., MARCH 14 H11, #7 • 4:00pm

70 minutes

Hebrew/English with English subtitles

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS

When The Smoke Clears tells the true stories of three young Israeli soldiers – Gil, Ofer and Elad - whose injuries have them fighting for the strength to live. Making breakthroughs and finding meaning by reaching out to those in need, they discover that what didn’t kill them really did make them stronger. The soldiers’ unthinkable battle experiences leave them with life-altering mental and physical scars. Returning to society, their trauma disconnects them from all they once valued, turning their lives upside down. When all seems lost, a revolutionary idea gives them the hope, courage, tools and community to survive, and to embrace their identities as heroes both on and off the battlefield. Banding together in a family of wounded soldiers, they learn to face their obstacles together and discover that in conquering their pain, they might have more to offer than ever before.

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Best Documentary Feature, GI Film Festival, San Diego, 2018 Best Human Spirit Award, Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, 2018 Official Selection, Hong Kong JFF, 2017 Official Selection, Miami JFF, 2018


FRIDAY MARCH

8

H11, #5 • 3:00pm

MON., MARCH 11 H11, #5 • 7:00pm MON., MARCH 11 H11, #6 • 7:00pm THURS., MARCH 14 H11, #5 • 12:00pm THURS., MARCH 14 H11, #6 • 12:00pm

95 minutes

English

WHO WILL WRITE OUR HISTORY

In November 1940, days after the Nazis sealed 450,000 Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto, a secret band of journalists, scholars and community leaders decided to fight back. Led by historian Emanuel Ringelblum and known by the code name Oyneg Shabes, this clandestine group vowed to defeat Nazi lies and propaganda not with guns or fists but with pen and paper. Now, for the first time, their story is told as a feature documentary. Who Will Write Our History mixes the writings of the Oyneg Shabes archive with new interviews, rarely seen footage and stunning dramatizations to transport us inside the Ghetto and the lives of these courageous resistance fighters. They defied their murderous enemy with the ultimate weapon — the truth — and risked everything so that their archive would survive the war, even if they did not.

Audience Award, San Francisco JFF, 2018 Best Documentary, Twin Cities Film Festival, 2018 13 17


FRIDAY MARCH

8

H11, #7 • 2:30pm

FRI., MARCH 15 H11, #7 • 12:00pm

94 minutes

French with English subtitles

FANNY’S JOURNEY

Based on a true story of bravery, strength and survival, Fanny’s Journey tells the story of a daring young girl who will stop at nothing and fears no one. Following the arrest of their father in Paris, Fanny and her younger sisters, Erika and Georgette, are sent to a boarding school in France’s neutral zone. Their safe haven is only temporary however, and the Jewish students are whisked away to another institution where they come under the care of the tough but tender Madame Forman. When the Nazis arrive in Italy, their caretakers desperately organize the departure of the children to Switzerland. As danger advances yet again, the children’s fate is entrusted to 13-year-old Fanny who fearlessly treks through the countryside on a perilous mission to reach the Swiss border, with only wits and solidarity to guide her.

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Juried Award, Best Feature, Teaneck Int’l Film Festival, 2017 Audience Choice Award, Jewish Arts & Film Fesival of Fairfield County, 2017 Audience Award and Jury Award, Atlanta JFF, 2017 Audience Awards, Long Island, Cinetopia Films, Augusta JFF, Philadelphia JFF, JCC Rockland JFF, Charlotte, JFF, 2017


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MONDAY MARCH

H11, #5 • 3:00pm

MON., MARCH 11 H11, #6 • 3:00pm THUR., MARCH 14 H11, #5 • 7:00pm THUR., MARCH 14 H11, #6 • 7:00pm FRI., MARCH 15 H11, #6 • 4:00pm

79 minutes English

MY DEAR CHILDREN

My Dear Children is a story of Jewish faith, family, and a tragedy that reverberated for generations. The pogroms in the years following the Russian Revolution of 1917 killed tens of thousands of Jews and marked the beginning of the near-obliteration of Jewish life from an area of the world to which nearly 80% of the world’s Jewry can trace its roots. Feiga Shamis, a Jewish mother of 12, wrote about those years in a rare first-hand account. What happened drove her to make a choice no mother should ever have to make. But it was a choice that ensured the survival of two of her children. Decades later, Feiga’s granddaughter, Judy Favish, set out from South Africa for Poland and Ukraine to try to understand the grandmother she never met, the choice Feiga made, and her father who would never talk about his past. Best Documentary Harrisburg JFF, 2018 Finalist, Suncoast Regional Emmy, 2018 Official Selection, Washington JFF, 2018 13 19


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MONDAY MARCH

H11, #7 • 4:00pm

MON., MARCH 11 H11, #7 • 7:45pm TUE., MARCH 12 H11, #7 • 1:00pm

Bonnie Rich will host a Q&A after each screening. 46 minutes

English

LIFE IS RICH

A real-life comedy about Bonnie Rich, a filmmaker and Jewish mom on a mission—to persuade her millennial daughters to raise her unborn grandchildren Jewish. While her daughters see little need for Jewish ritual that doesn’t involve food, Bonnie wants them to see Judaism as more than matzo ball soup. So she lures her daughters into Jewish sing-alongs and drags them to meet with rabbis. In the process, Bonnie finds herself contemplating her own connection with her faith and questions whether she will be successful in pulling the family closer to Judaism. The question is: will Bonnie’s efforts bring her and her family closer to the culture and religion treasured by her parents and grandparents?

Audience Award, Washington JFF, 2018

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12

TUESDAY MARCH

H11, #5 • 4:00pm

WED., MARCH 13 H11, #5 • 7:45pm THUR., MARCH 14 H11, #7 • 1:00pm

83 minutes

English, Hebrew, Hungarian, Romanian Polish with English subtitles

BACK TO BERLIN

Back to Berlin is the first biker flick-meets-Holocaust educational documentary. In the summer of 2015, eleven motorcyclists set out on a one-month journey through nine cities, two major storms and unbearable heat on a mission to carry the Maccabiah torch from Israel to the Waldbühne Stadium in Berlin for the European Maccabi Games — the first time the Games were held in Germany since WWII. These riders follow in the tracks of the early 1930’s bikers, who in one of the most innovative PR exercises of all time, set out from the British Mandate of Palestine to all corners of Europe to search for athletes for the first Maccabi Games in 1932. Each destination on the way to Berlin holds a chilling resonance for the riders as they discover and share how their families perished, or managed to survive.

Nominated Best Feature Documentary, International Filmmaker Festival for World Berlin, 2018 Nominated for Rome Independent Prisma Film Awards, 2018

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SUNDAY MARCH

3:00pm

CLOSING EVENT

Beatrice Friedman Theater, The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life

90 minutes

English

THE MAMBONIKS

The Mamboniks tells a surprising, little-known story: how Jewish people fell head over heels in love with Latin music and dance in the years directly following World War II. Back then, two cultures, Jewish and Latino, met on the dance floor at a time when America was racially segregated, and anti-Semitism was commonplace. Set in New York, the Catskills, Miami Beach and sultry Havana, the film features a lovable, somewhat zany group of characters now retired yet still dancing near Boca Raton, Florida. This array of Damon Runyonlike characters from mambo’s heyday ranges in age from the seventies to the nineties. We meet dancers, musicians, club owners, disc jockeys, and record company moguls. Many possess the Yiddish gift of gab, spinning their tales with humor, heart and chutzpah.

Southwest Florida Premiere

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PRESENTS

JFF FAMILY

NIGHT

Saturday March 16 5:00–7:30 pm

Zell Room, The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life

Event is free, but registration is required at

Inspiring

jfedsrq.org/jff19 or 888.718.4253, #1

I

n this animated retelling of the Book of Exodus, Egyptian Prince Moses (Val Kilmer), upon discovering his roots as a Jewish slave, embarks on a quest to free his people from bondage. When his plea is denied by his brother Rameses (Ralph Fiennes), the new pharaoh, a series of horrific plagues strike Egypt. Moses finally leads the Israelites to freedom by parting the Red Sea and drowning the Egyptian army. God then gives Moses the Ten Commandments, a list of rules for his people to live by. 100 minutes

Bring blankets, pillows and PJ’s! Get ready for Passover next month! Snack on popcorn and pizza while you snuggle up and watch the film. After the movie, make and decorate a matzoh house and play a game of afikomen hide and seek!

Uplifting

Empowering


FESTIVAL SPONSORS FEDERATION TORCH SPONSORS Edie and David Chaifetz Leon R. and Margaret M. Ellin Debbie and Larry Haspel Naiditch Family Foundation The Rosenthal Roots Family Foundation Bunny and Mort Skirboll Hadassah and Martin Strobel GOLD SPONSOR Regal Cinemas SILVER SPONSORS Shelly and Sy Goldblatt BRONZE SPONSORS Dr. Louis and Mrs. Milly Chaykin Cheryl and Steve Shapiro The Ackerman Group Retirement Wealth Specialists COPPER SPONSORS Howard Berman Milt Crystal Ann and Robert Jackson Joan and Bart Levenson Nessa and Richard Levine Lori and David Liner Lois Stulberg Jack and Adrea Sukin

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MEDIA SPONSORS Sarasota Magazine WUSF Observer Media Group Cineworx


Thank You! PEWTER SPONSORS Ruthe Actor Kathleen and Morris Lioz Ruth and Alan Ades Linda Lipson Ronni Bernard Bobbi and Will Lorry Roberta Berson and Frank Tucciarone Judith and Arthur Marks Sheila and Jerry Birnbaum Ellen and Henry Mason Rosann and Ian Black Barbara and Philip Meltzer Cookie Bloom Gloria Moss Fran and Jack Braverman Bob and Andi Munzer Murry Bring and Kay Delaney Margot Nathan Helen and Murray Charash Elaine and Akiva Pipe Dr. Herbert and Anita Cohen Bert Rapowitz and Lauri Pollack Renee Crames Ronnie Riceberg and Dennis Zimmerman Marsha and Harry Eisenberg Nadia Ritter Meredith and Al Ernst Irene and Marty Ross Esme and Eric Faerber Lori Ruland Janis and Jay Forgotson Harriet and Jules Schaeffer Marsha and Marvin Frank Nancy and Barry Shapiro Jean and Michael Freed Sue and Marty Spector Helen and Len Glaser Cheryl and Mel Taub Nancy Gold Bryna and Howard Tevlowitz Roz Goldberg and Alan Bandler Evans Tilles and Terry Neis Faith and Michael Goldman Janet Tolbert Sandra and James Goldman Judy and Bob Vigder Merrill and Barbara Greenberger Leon and Marysue Wechsler Jerry and Debby Hamburg Hannah and Norm Weinberg Barbara Horowitz Patti and David Wertheimer Barbara Jacob Brian and Joan Wides Sue Johnson Debbie Yonker Marcy and Michael Klein Roberta and Harold Zimmerman Sandi Kligman Sandra and Ben Krause

(List in formation) 25


SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES $15,000 Jewish Film Festival Sponsor ($10,460 tax deductible) – ONE AVAILABLE @ @ @ @ @ @

Opportunity to have the entire JFF named for you or your designee Opportunity to welcome the audience at Opening Night Sponsor Cocktail Party 8 tickets to Opening Night Sponsor Cocktail Party and Film 8 tickets to Closing Night Film/Event 30 film tickets Recognition in all event publicity and at the event on screen*

SOLD OUT

$10,000 Gold Sponsor ($5,460 tax deductible) @ @ @ @ @ @

8 tickets to Opening Night Sponsor Cocktail Party and Film 8 tickets to Closing Night Film/Event 30 film tickets Opportunity to address the audience on opening night Recognition in Festival Program Guide, on JFF webpage and at each screening Advance film and event registration handled by our sponsor concierge

$5,000 Silver Sponsor ($2,125 tax deductible) @ @ @ @ @

6 tickets to Opening Night Sponsor Cocktail Party and Film 6 tickets to Closing Night Film/Event 18 film tickets Recognition in Festival Program Guide, on JFF webpage and at each screening Advance film and event registration handled by our sponsor concierge

$2,500 Bronze Sponsor ($1,075 tax deductible) @ @ @ @ @ @

4 tickets to Opening Night Sponsor Cocktail Party and Film 4 tickets to Closing Night Film/Event The opportunity to sponsor one screening of a film 12 film tickets Recognition in Festival Program Guide, on JFF webpage and at each screening Advance film and event registration handled by our sponsor concierge

$1,500 Copper Sponsor ($700 tax deductible) @ @ @ @ @

4 tickets to Opening Night Sponsor Cocktail Party and Film 4 tickets to Closing Night Film/Event 12 film tickets Recognition in Festival Program Guide, on JFF webpage and at each screening Advance film and event registration handled by our sponsor concierge

$750 Pewter Sponsor ($290 tax deductible) @ @ @ @

2 tickets to Opening Night Sponsor Cocktail Party and Film 2 tickets to Closing Night Film/Event 10 film tickets Recognition in Festival Program Guide, on JFF webpage and at each screening

@

Advance film and event registration handled by our sponsor concierge

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TO BECOME A SPONSOR, contact Jeremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113


TICKETS You may purchase your tickets in several ways: OPENING NIGHT TICKETS – $18 per Ticket Each ticket includes one non-reserved seat for the Opening Night film. Special pricing ($10) for students under 18, Opening Night only.

CLOSING EVENT TICKETS – $36 per Ticket Each ticket includes one non-reserved seat for the Closing Event which includes Mambo inspired music, hors d’oeuvres and drinks following the screening.

INDIVIDUAL FILM TICKETS – $15 per Ticket Each ticket includes one reserved seat at one screening, (does not include Opening or Closing films).

To order your tickets, please visit jfedsrq.org/jff19 or call ShowClix at 888.718.4253, Option 1. Your tickets will be sent by mail, email or text in advance of the Festival or are available at will-call for $1.00 extra per ticket.

NEWEAR Y H T IS

FOR SPONSOR TICKETS ONLY: Contact Navita at 941.500.2566 or jffsrq@gmail.com

Five minutes before the start of each film, empty seats may be sold to walk-ins. Please make every effort to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to showtime to ensure your seat selection.

S C R E E N I N G L O C AT I O N S SARASOTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

HOLLYWOOD 11 (H11)

801 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota

1993 Main Street Sarasota

TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL

BEATRICE FRIEDMAN THEATER

567 Bay Isles Rd Longboat Key

582 McIntosh Road Sarasota

SECURITY WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL EVENTS AND SCREENINGS

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Hollywood 11 (H11) THEATERS 5, 6, 7

H

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

G

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

F

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

E

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

D

1

C

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

B

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

A

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

2

5

6

8 9

12 13

Seating for theaters 5, 6 and 7 is identical. NEWEAR Y THIS

28

Five minutes before the start of each film, empty seats may be sold to walk-ins. Please make every effort to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to showtime to ensure your seat selection.


“This new Jewish-themed film series focuses on real slices of life we can all relate to.” – ROSANN BLACK

NO PLACE ON EARTH Thursday, March 28, 2019 • 1:30 pm A cave exploration in Ukraine leads to the unearthing of a story of World War II survivors who once found shelter in the same cave.

Braden River Branch Library 4915 53rd Ave E, Bradenton

SAMMY DAVIS JR. I’VE GOTTA BE ME Wednesday, April 10, 2019 • 2:00 pm A star-studded roster of interviewees (including Jerry Lewis, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal) pay tribute to the legendary, multi-talented song-and-dance man.

Temple Beth Israel 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key LIMIT 2 TICKETS PER FILM. THE SERIES IS FREE but you are encouraged to bring cans of food, toys and school supplies, which will be donated to All Faiths Food Bank, Toys for Tots and Title 1 Schools.

CHAIR: ROSANN BLACK For more information, contact Jeremy Lisitza at jlisitza@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2113 RN! FREE POPCO

TO REGISTER: JFEDSRQ.ORG/reel19


Ticket Order

To help you plan your ticket order before you contact our ticket provider, we suggest you use the worksheet on this page. Please refer to the screening matrix on pages 32–34.

q I want to purchase _____ Individual Ticket / $15 per ticket q I want to purchase _____ Opening Night Ticket / $18 per ticket/$10 student q I want to purchase _____ Closing Event Ticket / $36 each ___ Heading Home

Wed., March 6, 7:00pm

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium

(Opening Night) ___ Heading Home

Tues., March 12, 4:00pm

H11 #7

___ The Optimists

Thur., March 7, 1:00pm

H11 #5

___ The Optimists

Mon., March 11, 1:00pm

H11 #5

___ The Optimists

Thurs., March 14, 7:45pm

H11 #7

___ 93Queen

Thurs., March 7, 3:00pm

H11 #5

___ 93Queen

Mon., March 11, 12:00pm

H11 #7

___ 93Queen

Fri., March 15, 1:00pm

H11 #6

___ Shelter

Thurs., March 7, 7:00pm

H11 #5

___ Shelter

Thurs., March 7, 7:00pm

H11 #6

___ Shelter

Tues., March 12, 12:00pm

H11 #5

___ Shelter

Tues., March 12, 12:00pm

H11 #6

___ Shelter

Fri., March 15, 3:00pm

H11 #7

___ The Light of Hope

Thurs., March 7, 12:00pm

H11 #6

___ The Light of Hope

Wed., March 13, 12:00pm

H11 #6

___ The Light of Hope

Fri., March 15, 12:00pm

H11 #5

___ Keep the Change

Thurs., March 7, 3:00pm

H11 #6

___ Keep the Change

Mon., March 11, 12:00pm

H11 #6

___ Keep the Change

Tues., March 12, 3:00pm

H11 #6

___ Past Life

Thurs., March 7, 12:00pm

H11 #7

___ Past Life

Tue., March 12, 7:00pm

H11 #5

___ Past Life

Wed., March 13, 4:00pm

H11 #5

___ The Samuel Project

Thurs., March 7, 4:00pm

H11 #7

___ The Samuel Project

Fri., March 8, 12:00pm

H11 #7

___ The Samuel Project

Wed., March 13, 12:00pm

H11 #7

___ The Last Suit

Thurs., March 7, 7:45pm

H11 #7

___ The Last Suit

Wed., March 13, 7:00pm

Temple Beth Israel

to purchase tickets : visit jfedsrq . org / jff 19 30

sponsors only :

contact

Navita

at


WORKSHEET ___ The Last Suit

Thurs., March 14, 3:00pm

H11 #5

___ The Last Suit

Thurs., March 14, 3:00pm

H11 #6

___ The Cakemaker

Fri., March 8, 12:00pm

H11 #5

___ The Cakemaker

Tues., March 12, 7:00pm

H11 #7

___ The Cakemaker

Wed., March 13, 3:00pm

H11 #6

___ The Cakemaker

Wed., March 13, 3:00pm

H11 #7

___ A Fortunate Man

Fri., March 8, 2:30pm

H11 #6

___ A Fortunate Man

Wed., March 13, 7:00pm

H11 #6

___ A Fortunate Man

Wed., March 13, 7:00pm

H11 #7

___ A Fortunate Man

Fri., March 15, 3:00pm

H11 #5

___ When the Smoke Clears

Fri., March 8, 12:00pm

H11 #6

___ When the Smoke Clears

Tues., March 12, 7:45pm

H11 #6

___ When the Smoke Clears

Thurs., March 14, 4:00pm

H11 #7

___ Who Will Write Our History

Fri., March 8, 3:00pm

H11 #5

___ Who Will Write Our History

Mon., March 11, 7:00pm

H11 #5

___ Who Will Write Our History

Mon., March 11, 7:00pm

H11 #6

___ Who Will Write Our History

Thurs., March 14, 12:00pm

H11 #5

___ Who Will Write Our History

Thurs., March 14, 12:00pm

H11 #6

___ Fanny’s Journey

Fri., March 8, 2:30pm

H11 #7

___ Fanny’s Journey

Fri., March 15, 12:00pm

H11 #7

___My Dear Children

Mon., March 11, 3:00pm

H11 #5

___My Dear Children

Mon., March 11, 3:00pm

H11 #6

___My Dear Children

Thurs., March 14, 7:00pm

H11 #5

___My Dear Children

Thurs., March 14, 7:00pm

H11 #6

___My Dear Children

Fri., March 15, 4:00pm

H11 #6

___Life Is Rich

Mon., March 11, 4:00pm

H11 #7

___Life Is Rich

Mon., March 11, 7:45pm

H11 #7

___Life Is Rich

Tues., March 12, 1:00pm

H11 #7

___Back to Berlin

Tues., March 12, 4:00pm

H11 #5

___Back to Berlin

Wed., March 13, 7:45pm

H11 #5

___Back to Berlin

Thurs., March 14, 1:00pm

H11 #7

___The Mamboniks (Closing Event)

Sun., March 17, 3:00pm

___The Prince of Egypt Sat., March 16, 5:00pm (JFF Family Night)

F R E E F A M I LY E VE NT

or call

Beatrice Friedman Theater Zell Room on The Larry Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life

888.718.4253, Option 1

941.500.2566

or jffsrq @ gmail . com

31


Schedule of

FILM

WED., MARCH 6 — OPENING NIGHT — SARASOTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM 7:00 PM HEADING HOME: THE TALE OF TEAM ISRAEL TIME

THURS., MARCH 7, H11 #5

THURS., MARCH 7, H11 #6 THURS., MARCH 7, H11 #7

12:00 PM The Light of Hope 1:00 PM The Optimists 3:00 PM 93Queen Keep the Change 4:00 PM 7:00 PM Shelter Shelter 7:45 PM TIME

FRI., MARCH 8, H11 #5

The Samuel Project The Last Suit

FRI., MARCH 8, H11#6

FRI., MARCH 8, H11 #7

12:00 PM The Cakemaker 2:30 PM 3:00 PM Who Will Write Our History

When the Smoke Clears A Fortunate Man

The Samuel Project Fanny’s Journey

TIME

MON., MARCH 11, H11 #6

MON., MARCH 11, H11 #7

MON., MARCH 11, H11 #5

12:00 PM Keep the Change 1:00 PM The Optimists 3:00 PM My Dear Children My Dear Children 4:00 PM 7:00 PM Who Will Write Our History Who Will Write Our History 7:45 PM

26

Past Life

32

93Queens

Life Is Rich Life Is Rich


SCREENINGS AND VENUES NEWEAR Y THIS TIME

Five minutes before the start of each film, empty seats may be sold to walk-ins. Please make every effort to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to showtime to ensure your seat selection.

TUES., MARCH 12, H11 #5

TUES., MARCH 12, H11 #6 TUES., MARCH 12, H11 #7

12:00 PM Shelter Shelter 1:00 PM 3:00 PM Keep the Change 4:00 PM Back to Berlin 7:00 PM Past Life 7:45 PM When the Smoke Clears TIME

WED., MARCH 13, H21 #5

12:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM Past Life 7:00 PM 7:45 PM Back to Berlin

Life Is Rich Heading Home The Cakemaker

WED., MARCH 13, H21 #6

WED., MARCH 13, H21 #7

Light of Hope The Cakemaker

The Samuel Project The Cakemaker

A Fortunate Man

A Fortunate Man

TIME

WED., MARCH 13, TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL

7:00 PM

The Last Suit

(Continued on next page)

27

33


Schedule of

FILM SCREENINGS AND VENUES (Cont’d)

TIME

THURS., MARCH 14, H11, #5 THURS., MARCH 14, H11, #6 THURS., MARCH 14, H11, #7

12:00 PM Who Will Write Our History Who Will Write Our History 1:00 PM Back to Berlin 3:00 PM The Last Suit The Last Suit 4:00 PM When the Smoke Clears 7:00 PM My Dear Children My Dear Children 7:45 PM The Optimists TIME

FRI., MARCH 15, H11, #5

FRI., MARCH 15, H11, #6

12:00 PM Light of Hope 1:00 PM 93Queen 2:30 PM A Fortunate Man 4:00 PM My Dear Children

FRI., MARCH 15, H11, #7

Fanny’s Journey Shelter

TIME

SAT., MARCH 16, ZELL ROOM, THE LARRY GREENSPON FAMILY CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE

5:00 PM

Prince of Egypt (Free family event)

SUN., MARCH 17 — CLOSING EVENT — BEATRICE FRIEDMAN THEATER 3:00 PM THE MAMBONIKS

T hank you for supporting JFF !

34


We love

bringing people together through the power of great storytelling

Visit more, earn more! J O I N F O R F R E E AT MY R E G A L . C O M


jfedsrq.org

Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232

THE LARRY GREENSPON FAMILY CAMPUS FOR JEWISH LIFE

Permit #167 Manasota, FL

PAID

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage


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