Movies Galore Atlanta Jewish Film Festival marks 20th anniversary

The 20th anniversary Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) runs Feb. 10 – 27 with 48 feature films, 16 short films, three world premieres, five North American premieres and two U.S. premieres from 17 countries.

Screenings will be presented at venues across metro Atlanta, including Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Regal Perimeter Pointe, UA Tara Cinemas, Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, Plaza Theater, and the Woodruff Arts Center.

The 2020 selections cover everything from intimate and introspective biographies to epic dramas, and there will be guest speakers and visiting filmmakers to provide perspective context on the lineup.

Opening Night kicks off with the world premiere of “Shared Legacies: The AfricanAmerican Jewish Civil Rights Alliance,” a documentary with strong Atlanta ties and featuring prominent local leaders including Congressman John Lewis, Amb. Andrew Young, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, Rabbi Peter S. Berg, Martin Luther King III., and many others.

This year’s lineup also brings Atlanta audiences closer to award season by featuring films from the 2020 Oscar shortlist such as “Advocate” (shortlisted for Best Documentary

Feature), “The Painted Bird” and “Those Who Remained” (shortlisted for Best International Feature), and “The Bronx USA” (shortlisted for Best Original Song).

“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, we are so humbled to reflect on the cultural force that AJFF has become. Atlanta is a city of great diversity and building strong community connections through film is fundamental to our mission,” said Kenny Blank, AJFF’s Executive Director. “The tenants of great storytelling, community conversation and heightened audience experience continue to be a focus not only for our 20th year but beyond.”

Tickets are available at AJFF.org and range in price from $36 for opening night, closing night and young professionals’ night; $16 for general admission; and $14 for seniors.

The full lineup and schedule are available at AJFF.org.

Atlanta’s first 4DX theater is now open at Regal Atlantic Station and it is, literally, a thrill ride.

Last month, Regal was showing “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and historical war drama “1917” in the 4DX cinema. I had already read about the moving seats, water spray, fog, and wind effects, so a movie like “Star Wars” is made for the 4DX experience. But I chose to see “1917” to see what the 4DX format would be like for a more normal movie without so many special effects.

First, let me say that “1917” is a very good film. Director Sam Mendes uses long scenes to make it seem like the events are happening in real time. The movie follows two British soldiers who are given orders to take an urgent message across the German enemy line in France during World War I.

There were no 4DX special effects for the first 15 or 20 minutes, but then there was an explosion and suddenly I felt like I was part of the movie. The chair pitched back and dropped, while a gust of wind and water droplets hit my face. It was disorienting and a total shock, but also put me right into the action.

As the soldiers were shot at by Germans, I could feel the bullets flying past my face thanks to little bursts of air that came from inside the seat. As soldiers rode in the back of a truck, the seat rumbled and bumped along.

In another scene, a soldier jumped off a bridge to escape the enemy and the seat pitched and rolled, water splashed, a mist appeared and then it felt like I was actually floating as the soldier was swept down the river. It was impressive.

If 4DX can do that during a period drama, imagine what it’s like for a special effects heavy movie. I think seeing the new “Top Gun” and James Bond movies in this format would be very exciting. You really have to experience it for yourself to understand how the seats and effects perfectly synchronize with the action on the screen.

Tickets are $24, so more expensive than a regular movie, but you are paying for the extra excitement and I think it’s worth the money. It makes the movie more memorable and you feel like you are part of the movie itself. I enjoyed it so much, that I’m planning to go back and see “Star Wars.”

For more information and to buy tickets, visit regmovies.com.

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