Heart • History • Humor • Hope Celebrating 14 Years!
March 20–30, 2014
www.jccnvarts.org
Northern Virginia Jewish Film Festival Schedule Day/Date
Time
Film
Sponsors and Programs
Film Screenings at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia Thursday, March 20
6:30pm
When Comedy Went to School Opening Night Individual Sponsors: Lorraine Fischer & Marc Kremer, BJ & Allon Shiff; Opening Night Business Sponsors: Richard Oppenheim, Atlantic Settlement Group, LLC; The Virginian Program to be announced*
Saturday, March 22
4:15pm
Igor and the Cranes’ Journey
Shabbat Expression program with Havdallah service*
Film Screenings at Angelika Film Center & Café at Mosaic Saturday, March 22
8:30pm
The German Doctor
Sunday, March 23
10:30am
Süskind
12:30pm
Aftermath
2:45pm
The Zigzag Kid
4:45pm
Under the Same Sun
Screening Sponsors: Judie & Norm Weiss Program: Ralph Robbins, Virginia Israel Advisory Board, Office of the Governor*
7:15pm
The Jewish Cardinal with Moses on the Mesa
Screening Sponsors: Dara & Joshua Greene Program: Victoria Barnett, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum*
Monday, March 24
7:15pm
Dancing in Jaffa
Screening Sponsor: Scott Wirtzman Program to be announced*
Tuesday, March 25
7:15pm
Two Sided Story
Program to be announced*
Wednesday, March 26
12:30pm
Igor and the Cranes’ Journey
Screening Sponsors: Janet & Murray Horwitz Program to be announced*
7:15pm
Süskind
Program to be announced*
Thursday, March 27
7:15pm
Aftermath
Program to be announced*
Friday, March 28
10:45am
The Jewish Cardinal
12:30pm
The German Doctor
2:30pm
Under the Same Sun
Saturday, March 29
8:30pm
The Zigzag Kid
Sunday, March 30
12:30pm
The Jewish Cardinal
Program to be announced*
2:45pm
Igor and the Cranes’ Journey
Screening Sponsor: Camps Airy & Louise
4:45pm
Dancing in Jaffa
Screening Sponsor: Polly Craighill
7:15pm
Quality Balls
Closing Night Sponsors: Anita & Steve Dienstfrey Dessert Reception to follow
Israeli-made films are underwritten in part by the Embassy of Israel. * Program descriptions at www.jccnvarts.org
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Hello Friends (Shalom Chaverim) “I once wanted to become an atheist but I gave up… they have no holidays.” — Henny Youngman “In Jewish history there are no coincidences.” — Elie Wiesel The contrast of those two quotes illustrate spectrums of the Jewish experience, and of how this year’s films detail the heart, history, humor and hope of its people. Our committee looked at more than 60 films that were Jewish-themed or made in Israel, finding vibrant and vital stories to share with you. Our gratitude to Angelika Film Center & Café at Mosaic for generously partnering with us again this year, and many thanks to the Film Festival Committee, JCCNV staff, and our Sponsors for celebrating this annual tradition (nee, shtick!) with our community. L’Chaim! Dan Kirsch, NVJFF Director
Festival Opening Night Dinner and Film When Comedy Went to School Thursday, March 20 6:30pm Social | 7pm Dinner 7:45pm Program and Film Followed by Dessert Reception JCCNV | 8900 Little River Turnpike | Fairfax 22031 Written by Lawrence Richards Directed by Ron Frank and Melvut Akkaya USA | 2013 | 77 minutes | Documentary In New York’s Catskill Mountains, aka the Borscht Belt, Jewish immigrants transformed lush farmland into the 20th century’s largest resort complex. Those Catskill hotels and bungalow colonies provided the setting for a remarkable group of young Jewish-American comedians to hone their craft and become worldwide legends — the generation that includes the likes of Jerry Lewis, Sid Caesar, Jackie Mason, Mort Sahl, and Jerry Stiller — all of whom make appearances in the film, telling jokes along with their stories. Robert Klein narrates. Join us for a delicious chicken dinner, a glass of wine, and a special program. Dietary laws observed. Advance tickets: $39 per person (thru March 8); $45 starting March 9 Deadline for registration: Monday, March 17
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AFTERMATH
Secrets and Calamity (Nistar and Ason) (Pokłosie)
Written and Directed by Władysław Pasikowski
Aftermath (Poklosie)
Written and Directed by Władysław Pasikowski Poland/Netherlands/Russia/Slovakia | 2013 107 minutes | Polish with subtitles | Drama An ordinary village. A dark secret. A man returns to Poland after many years abroad, alarmed by the news that his younger brother has come into conflict with his village neighbors. As the two brothers struggle to rebuild their relationship, they are drawn into a gothic tale of intrigue, uncovering a dark secret that forces them to confront the history of their family and their hometown. Writerdirector Pasikowski uses the true story of what happened in the Polish town of Jedwabne, an incident revealed in historian Jan Gross’ equally controversial 2001 book “Neighbors,” as the inspiration for a fictional drama. “One of the most effective of Aftermath’s notions is to make the investigators not the ution: man classic righteous Gentiles of so many Holocaust movies but angry, dissatisfied, antisocial, a Films even borderline anti-Semitic individuals drawn into a quest for the truth almost against n Park Boulevard, Suite 100 ica, CA 90405 their will.” — LA Times 2-‐1775 Jerusalem Film Festival 2013 – Yad Vashem Chairman’s Award
52-‐3740 emshafilms.com emshafilms.com
The German Doctor (Wakolda)
Written, Directed and Produced by Lucía Puenzo, based on her novel Wakolda Argentina/France/Spain/Norway | 2013 | 94 minutes | Spanish/German/Hebrew with subtitles | Drama Patagonia, 1960. The infamous Nazi criminal Josef Mengele, going by an alias, connects with an Argentine family and follows them to Bariloche, where they are set to open a new hotel. Chillingly interested in the mother, pregnant with twins, and their diminutive 12-year-old daughter, Mengele’s dark passions are reignited. Unaware of his true identity, the family welcomes the charismatic man with open arms, until they discover his disturbing secret. Argentina’s official entry for this year’s Academy Awards
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Destiny or Fate? (Bashert or Goral?) The Jewish Cardinal (Le métis de Dieu) Directed by Ilan Duran Cohen France | 2013 | 90 minutes French/Latin/Polish with subtitles | Drama A fascinating account of the Archbishop of Paris, Jean-Marie Lustiger, who was born Aaron Lustiger to Ashkenazi Jewish parents living in France. At 13 he converted to Catholicism over his father’s protests and attempts to rescind his baptism. Lustiger rose in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church to become one of its most outspoken and prominent Cardinals, helping Pope John Paul II tackle vital issues of the day politically and globally. Presented with the short film Moses on the Mesa on Sunday, March 23.
Süskind Directed by Rudolf van den Berg Netherlands | 2012 | 118 minutes | Dutch with subtitles | Drama In July 1942 the Amsterdam Jewish Council appointed Walter Süskind to manage the Judische Schouwburg — The Dutch Theatre — as a deportation centre for Jews in Amsterdam. Directly across the street from the Schouwburg there was a crèche. As trams passed by, children were smuggled out of the Schouwburg into the crèche without being observed by the Germans. Playing a cat-and-mouse game with an S.S. officer, during the eighteen months that Süskind was in charge, and with the help of four separate groups of resistance workers, he was able to save the lives of almost one thousand infants and children. “A war drama that merits comparison with Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”. Overall excellent interpretations of roles, with a constant thriller element present in the delicate and ambivalent relationship between Süskind and the Nazi officer he has to deal with.” — Algemeen Dagblad
Updates and program descriptions at www.jccnvarts.org.
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Family and Journey (Mishpachah and Derekh) Dancing in Jaffa Directed by Hilla Medalia Israel/USA | 2013 | 84 minutes Hebrew/Arabic with subtitles | Documentary Renowned ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine has a burning desire to use dance for social good, teaming Jewish and Palestinian Israeli children as ballroom partners. Born in Jaffa in 1944, Dulaine returns 30 years after leaving, and finds a society even more deeply and stringently divided than before. Immediately, he sets about teaching gradeschool children to dance; Dulaine perseveres with his belief in the power of dance to build self-esteem and social awareness. The film intimately captures Dulaine and the Jaffa children’s amazing journey as they are partnered with a Jewish or Palestinian boy or girl they had never met before from another school to compete in a dance contest. Filled with warmth, courage and lighthearted humor.
DC Metro Premiere! Igor and the Cranes’ Journey (Igor VeMasa Ha’Agurim) Directed by Evgeny Ruman | Based on the novel of same title by Aki Shavit Israel/Germany/Poland | 2013 | 90 minutes | Hebrew/Russian with subtitles | Family A charming fable about migration and the meaning of home. An estranged father and 11-year-old son are brought together by a young crane named Karl as they trace a family of birds on their migratory journey from Russia to Africa. When Igor’s mother decides for both of them to migrate from Russia to Israel, Igor attempts to draw his father closer and earn acceptance from his classmates by coming up with an extraordinary plan to build a watering hole for Karl and the cranes’ stopover in Israel. With exquisite cinematography and sensitive script, this subtitled film is perfect for dreamers ages 10 and up. Winner of the Jury Prize of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival
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The Zigzag Kid (Nono, het Zigzag Kind) Directed by Vincent Bal Belgium/Netherlands | 2012 | 95 minutes Dutch/English/French with subtitles | Family Based on the novel The Zigzag Kid (Yesh yeladim zigzag) by David Grossman Whimsical and witty, this action-packed detective escapade finds over-imaginative Nono Feierberg on a mission to become just like his dad — the greatest police inspector in the world. En route to the French Riviera he meets up with foxy criminal Felix and charming chanteuse Lola (Isabella Rossellini), and with only twenty-four hours to go before his Bar Mitzvah, Nono must complete his high-stakes mission, while also confronting the mystery of his own identity and the truth about the mother he has never known. This subtitled film is a stylish, witty, action-packed caper a la The Pink Panther that also touches on themes of selfdiscovery, the strength of family, and acceptance. Most enjoyed by ages 10 and up. Please note this film warrants parental guidance.
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Peace and Justice (Shalom and Tzedek) Two Sided Story (Shnei panim la-sipur) Directed by Tor Ben Mayor Israel/Palestine | 2012 | 75 minutes | Hebrew/Arabic with subtitles | Documentary The film follows a group of 27 Palestinians and Israelis who meet under the frame of a unique project called “History through the Human Eye” led by Parents CircleFamilies Forum: Bereaved Palestinian and Israelis for Peace and Reconciliation. Among them include bereaved families, Orthodox Jews and religious Muslims, settlers, ex-soldiers in the Israeli army, ex-security prisoners, citizens of the Gaza strip, kibbutz members, second generation holocaust survivors, non-violent activists and more. They are not trying to convince each other that their narrative is right, nor are they seeking a political solution. They have simply been asked to listen, to clarify the differences between how they grasp reality and how they see the other side.
Under the Same Sun Directed by Sameh Zoabi, Produced by Amir Harel Israel/USA | 2012 | 84 minutes | Hebrew/Arabic/ English with subtitles | Drama Set in the near future, the film looks back on how peace was made in 2013 between Israel and Palestine. It is the story of two businessmen — one Palestinian and one Israeli — who struggle to set up a solar energy company. Both come from societies where there is strong opposition to cooperating with the other, and the story tells how they overcome hostility from within their own families and from the people around them. In the end, they mount a Facebook campaign that brings popular support both to their joint venture and to the peace process.
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Laughter (Tz’chok) Festival Closing Night Film and Dessert Reception Sunday, March 30, 7:15pm
Quality Balls: The David Steinberg Story
Directed by Barry Avrich Canada | 2013 | 80 minutes | Documentary Born in a strict Jewish household, David Steinberg abandoned his yeshiva studies to join Chicago’s legendary Second City improv troupe, and never looked back. He appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson more than 130 times (second only to Bob Hope), but his religious sermonettes were too hot for CBS, prompting the cancellation of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Plentiful clips of Steinberg’s priceless performances and TV directing credits (Seinfeld, Mad About You, Golden Girls and Curb Your Enthusiasm) are paired with backstage stories from Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Norm Macdonald, Jeff Garlin and others who illuminate Steinberg’s place in the comedy pantheon, a satirist and provocateur who influenced and entertained generations. Please note: this is the only screening of this film during the festival. Advance tickets: $13 per person (thru March 23); $16 starting March 24
Updates and program descriptions at www.jccnvarts.org.
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Short Film | Shabbat Expression | Preview Partners Moses on the Mesa Directed by Paul Ratner USA | 2013 | 19 minutes | Short The real-life tale of Solomon Bibo, a Jewish immigrant who left Germany in 1869 while still a teenager, to seek out the mythical “El Dorado” in America. Through incredible twists of fate he became governor of the indigenous tribe of Acoma whose ancient pueblo sits atop a beautiful and unassailable cliff in the middle of a New Mexico desert. Award: Six Points Fellowship for Emerging Jewish Artists from the Foundation for Jewish Culture. Presented with the feature film The Jewish Cardinal on Sunday, March 23.
Shabbat Expression through Film Saturday, March 22, 4:15pm, JCCNV
Join us on a journey of wonder and learning as we watch Igor and the Cranes’ Journey. This film, best suited for ages 10 and up (with parental guidance), tells the story of young boy on his journey of Aliyah (migration to Israel). After the film, stay for a short discussion and community Havdallah service. Children 9 and under will find their own way to express themselves on Shabbat through song and crafts. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please register in advance at the JCCNV.
NVJFF Preview Partners Agudas Achim Congregation Under the Same Sun March 8 www.agudasachim-va.org Beth El Hebrew Congregation The Jewish Cardinal March 8, 7pm Ticketed event/open to the public www.bethelhebrew.org
Congregation Adat Reyim The Jewish Cardinal March 8, 7pm Ticketed event/open to the public www.adatreyim.org Temple B’nai Shalom Under the Same Sun March 16, 7pm www.tbs-online.org
NVJFF Raffle
Congregation Olam Tikvah Night at the NVJFF The Jewish Cardinal Sunday, March 23, 7:15pm Angelika Film Center Purchase group tickets through Olam Tikvah.
For just $2/ticket (or 6/$10 — such a deal!), enter for a chance to win Mosaic District restaurant gift certificates, Angelika Film Center passes, or tickets to performing arts events in Fairfax. Raffle prizes listed with the NVJFF info at www.jccnvarts.org. Tickets available at each screening March 20–30; drawing following the closing night film. Need not be present to win.
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Leadership (Manhigot) NVJFF Presenting Partner
2911 District Avenue, Fairfax 22031 (at Lee Highway & Gallows Road) www.angelikafilmcenter.com
NVJFF Producers
NVJFF Directors & Synagogue Sponsors* Congregation Beth Emeth Congregation Olam Tikvah Peggy & Ayre Ephrath Tamara & Ed Faggen Enid & Jerry Liess Temple B’nai Shalom Temple Rodef Shalom
NVJFF Preview Partners Agudas Achim Congregation Beth El Hebrew Congregation Congregation Adat Reyim Temple B’nai Shalom
Israeli-made films are underwritten in part by the Embassy of Israel.
NVJFF Screening Sponsors* Camps Airy & Louise Polly Craighill Anita & Steve Dienstfrey Lorraine Fischer & Marc Kremer Dara & Joshua Greene Janet & Murray Horwitz Richard Oppenheim, Atlantic Settlement Group, LLC BJ & Allon Shiff The Virginian, A Continuing Care Retirement Community Judie & Norm Weiss Scott Wirtzman
NVJFF Committee Members Lorraine Fischer, Co-Chair BJ Shiff, Co-Chair Polly Craighill Anita Dienstfrey Steve Dienstfrey Joshua Greene Janet Horwitz Enid Liess Ronnie Oppenheim Robert Shapiro Judie Weiss Dan Kirsch, JCCNV Cultural Arts Director NVJFF Festival Director
JCCNV Cultural Arts Mission To demonstrate, illuminate and celebrate the breadth and depth of Judaism’s culture, identity, creativity, diversity and resiliency through the performing, visual and literary arts. *As of February 10, 2014
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Film Festival Tickets
Purchase online at www.jccnvarts.org Opening Night Dinner & Film (When Comedy Went to School at the JCCNV) $39 thru March 8; $45 starting March 9 Online or at the JCCNV Front Desk (registration required by Monday, March 17) Closing Night Dessert Reception (following Quality Balls at Angelika) $13 thru March 23; $16 starting March 24 Online, at the JCCNV Front Desk, or at the door (limited availability) Festival Pass: Includes one entry to each screening at Angelika, including the Closing Night event. $60 thru March 21; $66 starting March 22 Passes are nontransferable. Please bring a photo ID along with your festival pass. Festival Four: Four tickets for festival screenings at Angelika. See four films, use all four for one film, etc. Your choice. Does not include Closing Night event. $36 General Admission $12 Seniors (60+) and Students $9 Group Ticket Sales (groups of 10 or more) $9
Online or at the door Online or at the door Purchase in advance through the NVJFF Box Office, 703.537.3000.
Single tickets are available in advance ONLINE ONLY, or at the NVJFF table in the Angelika lobby starting one hour prior to the screening. • NVJFF ticket sales are booked using the online ticket vendor Brown Paper Tickets. A small service fee is incurred with each ticket sale. • There is no service fee for purchases made at the JCCNV front desk for opening night, closing night and festival passes. • Once online sales close, tickets may still be available for purchase at the door. • Tickets purchased online can be picked up at the Will Call table prior to each screening, valid ID required. • All seating is general admission. • Angelika Film Center & Café at Mosaic is not selling NVJFF tickets; tickets will be sold by NVJFF in the Film Center lobby. All Ticket Sales Are Final. No Refunds and No Exceptions. The JCCNV is responsible for all ticketing to the Northern Virginia Jewish Film Festival. Please only contact the JCCNV with ticket questions.
Lee Hwy Mosaic District
650
NVJFF www.jccnvarts.org Box Office email: boxoffice@jccnv.org Box Office phone: 703.537.3000
50 495
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JCCNV Celebrates the Arts JCCNV Performing Arts Series Hooshir A Cappella and Potomac Fever Saturday, March 8, 8pm Hooshir A Cappella is Indiana University’s premier co-ed a cappella group with Jewish roots. Potomac Fever, a 13-voice a cappella close harmony pop ensemble from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, sings pop, choral and Broadway.
Cinder-Rachella World Premiere! May 2014, dates and times TBA The JCCNV has commissioned, and will produce, present, and tour the world premiere of “CinderRachella,” a family-friendly adaptation of a play with music which celebrates Israeli culture through the eyes of the iconic fairytale Princess. Written by Leslie A. Kobylinski, with original music composed by Alvin Smithson. Directed by Amy McWilliams. Yael Ingel, the JCCNV’s recent Community Shlicha (emissary), consults from Israel. The project has received a grant from the Arts Council of Fairfax County, supported by Fairfax County. Additional funding and support are provided by First Draft, a professional nonprofit theater company dedicated to developing new plays alongside audiences, supporting community artists and partnering with theaters and performing organizations looking to produce new work. For questions, and to buy tickets: Box Office: 703.537.3000 Email: boxoffice@jccnv.org Purchase tickets through www.brownpapertickets.com
Richmond Ballet II Sunday, April 6, 7pm Richmond Ballet II visits the JCCNV for the second year with a new repertory program of classical dance, including: “Bow Out,” Choreography by Val Caniparoli, Music by David Bedford and Roy Powell; Excerpts from “Raymonda ACT III,” Choreography by Frederic Franklin (Staged by Igor Antonov), Music by Alexander Glazunov; “Prayer,” Choreography by George Lyssenko (Staged by Igor Antonov), Music: traditional synagogue music; “Pas de Deux” from Cinderella, Choreography by Malcolm Burn, Music by Sergei Prokofiev. The tour is underwritten in part by the Virginia Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Pre-performance talk by author Tina Sutton (The Making of Markova: Diaghilev’s Baby Ballerina to Groundbreaking Icon), 6pm. The JCCNV Performing Arts Series is funded in part by the Arts Council of Fairfax County, supported by Fairfax County
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In the Bodzin Art Gallery Nature’s Splendor February 11–April 7 This exhibit captures the beauty of the natural world. Artists: Darlene Kaplan and Daphne Nadler.
On Deaf Ears
Hector Emanuel
April 8–May 27 This exhibit commemorates Yom Ha’Shoah and reflects the theme of public response to injustice today. Artists: Hector Emanuel, Michelle Frankfurter, Lloyd Wolf, Yonina Blech-Hermoni, and Katherine Janus Kahn.
Sponsor the 2014 NVJFF The Northern Virginia Jewish Film Festival (NVJFF) is a highly anticipated annual tradition that engages and energizes thousands of community members each year. Your participation in the NVJFF illustrates why the festival is an important part of the JCCNV’s mission — to tell Jewish stories, to find ways to create understanding between peoples of different faiths and different ethnicities, to build community. Don’t miss the powerful, the whimsical, the historical and the joyous films featured this year, and please support the festival with a gift of any amount. All donor levels receive acknowledgement in the preview presentation prior to each screening, and acknowledgement in the JCCNV program guide, Centertainment.
Angel ($1,000) • Logo placement (for businesses) and name acknowledgement in the Film Festival brochure* and on the JCCNV website • Your choice of available films to sponsor • Opportunity to introduce your film before the screening, or acknowledgement of your personal or company name with the introduction of the film • Eight (8) tickets to the screening of your choice (excludes opening night event) • Acknowledgement or ad at the JCCNV on the lobby TV screen
Producer/Screening Sponsor ($500) • Logo placement (for businesses) and name acknowledgement in the Film Festival brochure* and on the JCCNV website • Your choice of available films to sponsor; acknowledgement of your personal or company name with the introduction of the film • Four (4) tickets to the screening of your choice (excludes opening night event)
Director ($250) • Name acknowledgement in the Film Festival brochure* and on the JCCNV website • Two (2) tickets to the screening of your choice (excludes opening night event)
Patron ($100) • Acknowledgement in the preview presentation prior to each screening • Acknowledgement in the JCCNV program guide, Centertainment *Logo placement and name acknowledgement in festival brochure, preview presentation and other materials depend on print deadlines.
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JCCNV Connects the Community Simcha Expo 2014
Sunday, March 23, noon–4pm, JCCNV Northern Virginia’s Premier Party-Planning Expo
N O V A
Simcha
Expo
Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Wedding
Good Deeds Day
Sunday, April 6, 1pm–4pm Location: Gesher Jewish Day School, 4800 Mattie Moore Court, Fairfax, VA
The 2014 Northern Virginia Holocaust Commemoration Reflects Upon: “On Deaf Ears: Media Coverage and Public Response in the Holocaust Years” Sunday, April 27, 5pm–8:30pm, JCCNV
Israel@66 — Israel Street Festival Sunday, May 18, noon–5pm Location: Mosaic District
Questions? Contact Laurie Albert, Community Engagement Director Laurie.Albert@jccnv.org, or (703) 537-3064.
Ticket & Sponsorship Order Form NVJFF 2014 Sponsorship: r $1,000 r $500 r $250 r $100 r Other $_______ = $__________ r Opening Night Dinner & Film: #___ @ $39 (thru 3/8); #___ @ $45 starting 3/9 = $__________ r Closing Night Film & Desserts: #___ @ $13 (thru 3/23); #___ @ $16 starting 3/24 = $__________ r Festival Pass:
#___ @ $60 (thru 3/21); #___ @ $66 starting 3/22 = $__________
r Festival Four:
#___ @ $36
= $__________
Total Amount Due $__________
Name Address
City
State
Zip
Phone (H)
(W)
(C)
r Check r VISA r MasterCard r American Express r Cash Cardholders’ Name Card Number Exp. Date
Security Code
Signature Please mail or deliver to: JCCNV, Attn: NVJFF, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031
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Director Vincent Bal prepares for a scene with actress Isabella Rossellini on the set of The Zigzag Kid.
Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia
8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031 www.jccnv.org • P: (703) 323-0880
March 20–30, 2014 www.jccnvarts.org 703.537.3000