Freedom of Expression Award | Berkeley Big Night
Freedom of Expression Award: Theodore Bikel
Berkeley Big Night
Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholem Aleichem
The Sturgeon Queens
WORlD PREMIERE
BAy AREA PREMIERE
USA, 2014, 90 mins, English Director: John Lollos Editor: Allison Shurman Cinematographer: James Fideler Screenwriter: Marsha Lebby Cast: Theodore Bikel
USA, 2013, 54 mins, English Director: Julie Cohen Editor: Scott Feinstein, Mustafa Hameed Cinematographer: Rich White Screenwriter: Julie Cohen
CASTRO
THuRSDAy, July 31
6:15PM
Sponsored by Moses and Susan libitzky
CINEARTS BERKElEy REP CASTRO R AFAEl
SATuRDAy, July 26 SATuRDAy, AuguST 2 SuNDAy, AuguST 3 SuNDAy, AuguST 10
The stories of two beloved Jewish icons are woven together in this enchanting documentary: Sholem Aleichem, the great Jewish storyteller, and this year’s SFJFF Freedom of Expression award recipient, Theodore Bikel- troubadour, actor and one of the most popular stage interpreters of Aleichem’s work. The prose of Aleichem (1859–1916) portrays like no one else the true soul of the tragicomic Jewish shtetl life. Fiddler on the Roof, the Broadway and Hollywood musical adaptation of Aleichem’s Tevye the Milkman short stories, has immortalized him. Theodore Bikel, now 90, has portrayed Tevye on the American stage countless times. Vienna-born Bikel’s family escaped Austria after the Nazi occupation and migrated to Palestine before settling in the United States. He originated the role of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, played Zoltan Karpathy in the film version of My Fair Lady, guest-starred in numerous TV series from The Twilight Zone to Law & Order and has served as the president of Actors’ Equity. Bikel has performed and recorded collections of folk songs in 23 languages, including Yiddish. The film’s highlights include interviews with Alan Alda, Fyvush Finkel and Sholem Aleichem’s 102-year-old granddaughter Bel Kaufman. This is an enchanting film filled with laughter, tears and tunes about Aleichem and one of his best Tevyes (Bikel). Donny Inbar
Sponsored by Raymond lifchez
Screening followed by award ceremony, a brief performance and Q&A with Theodore Bikel.
Director Julie Cohen in person in Berkeley and San Francisco
This year’s award is an original framed watercolor by acclaimed Broadway, Hollywood and Television actor Nehemiah Persoff. The artwork generously donated by Krevsky Fine Art is entitled Oh Jerusalem.
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FINE ART SERVICES
4:15PM 6:30PM 12:15PM 12:00PM
If you are an aficianado of smoked fish and you live in New York City, then you are most likely aware of Russ & Daughters. If not, you may become one after seeing this delightful and delectable documentary. This venerable establishment has been selling fish since 1914 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Anchoring the film is 100-year-old Hattie Russ Gold and 92-yearold Anne Russ Federman, the daughters of the store’s name and the sturgeon queens of the title. These two live wires reflect on the immigrant experience and their lives behind the counter. The playful banter between them is quite endearing. Well-known enthusiasts of the store are interviewed (with their favorite fish highlighted). They include Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, chef Mario Batali, New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin, and 60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer. In a creative and innovative manner, filmmaker Julie Cohen also brings together six colorful longtime fans of the store, in their 80s and 90s, who sit around a table of fish reading the narration script in the style of a Passover seder. Regardless how you enter the screening, after seeing this humorous, heartfelt and mouthwatering film, you will certainly leave with an appetite. Jay Rosenblatt PRECEDED By
Salomea’s Nose
Salomea remembers the day her beloved brothers, Max and Karl, disfigured her and themselves for life. The Day of Tragedy, is what their mother called it, and blamed it on the fate of her children. Though fate and tragedy have a different meaning by the end of her tale. A tragicomedy about sibling rivalry, disfigurement and the pain that binds us. With Barbara Sukowa as the voice of Salomea.
Berkeley Big Night |
Saturday, August 2nd | The Courtyard, Berkeley Rep immediately following The Sturgeon Queens
6
www.sfjff.org | 415.621.0523
The Sturgeon Queens will leave you wanting more. Stick around for schmoozing and noshing with our guests in the courtyard lobby of the Berkeley Rep.