2016 WJFF Spring Season

FILM DCJCC at the

SPRING SEASON 2015-2016

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TIKOTIN: A LIFE DEVOTED TO JAPANESE ART THE MIDNIGHT ORCHESTRA TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 7:30 PM

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 7:30 PM

Dir. Santje Kramer (77 min, Netherlands, 2014) Dutch, English, French, German and Japanese with English subtitles Documentary

Dir. Jérôme Cohen Olivar (114 min, Morocco, 2015) Arabic, English and French with English subtitles Narrative

German-Jewish Felix Tikotin (1893-1986) is a sophisticate, bon vivant, egocentric and pioneer in collecting Japanese art. By the early 1930s, he drew together an impressive collection of Japanese woodcuts, prints, paintings, and ceramics. During the Holocaust, Tikotin fled from Berlin to Holland, where he and his family survived the war in hiding. This fascinating documentary captures a charismatic, strong–but also headstrong–man whose family always came second to his pursuit of art.

Michael Abitbol, the son of a once-famous Jewish musician, returns to Casablanca for the first time after leaving Morocco as a child amidst racial tensions spurred by the Yom Kippur War.

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There, Michael embarks on a mission to honor his father’s legacy. Aided by an eclectic cab driver, his search for the former members of his father’s band unexpectedly transforms his life forever.

TEACHING IGNORANCE

PARTISANS OF VILNA

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 7:30 PM

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 7:30 PM

Dir. Tamara Erde (52 min, Israel, 2015) Hebrew with English subtitles Documentary

Dir. Josh Waletzk (130 min, USA, 1986) Documentary

This powerful film follows Israeli and Palestinian teachers over the course of an academic year, asking: How do Palestinian, Israeli Arab, and Israeli Jewish educational systems teach their shared histories? By observing teachers’ exchanges and confrontations with students, we glimpse how values of religion, politics, and nationalism are taught in the classroom.

In Teaching Ignorance, educators from all sides of the conflict debate their peoples’ official curricula.

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Special 30th Anniversary Screening

An enormously riveting and inspirational tale of WWII and the Holocaust like no other, Partisans of Vilna was the first documentary to chronicle the amazing endeavors of the Jewish resistance fighters, who courageously staged a sabotage offensive against the Nazi army in the Polish city of Vilna.

Co-written by director Josh Waletzky and producer Aviva Kempner, the film has been lauded as “rich, poignant, terrifying and even ennobling” (LA Times).

Followed by Q&A with producer Aviva Kempner.

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SOFT VENGEANCE:

ALBIE SACHS AND THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 7:30 PM Dir. Abby Ginzberg (84 min, USA/South Africa, 2014) Documentary

Albie Sachs’ story illustrates the challenges faced by South Africans in a society founded on principles of slavery and disempowerment. As a young lawyer, Albie defended those committed to ending apartheid. He was imprisoned in solitary confinement, tortured, and forced into exile, but returned to South Africa following Nelson Mandela’s release to become one of the principal architects of a new egalitarian constitution.

Followed by Q&A with filmmaker Abby Ginzberg.

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SABENA HIJACKING TUESDAY, MAY 10, 7:30 PM Dir. Rani Sa’ar (100 min, Israel, 2014) Hebrew with English subtitles Documentary

On May 8, 1972, four hijackers from the Palestinian organization “Black September” took control of Sabena Flight 571. Masterfully blending cinematic reenactment and archival footage, we track the 30 nerve-wracking hours that followed, with fascinating human, military, and political drama unfolding inside and outside of the plane. Featuring harrowing interviews with Benjamin Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, and Shimon Peres (who were in charge of the rescue effort) and the only surviving hijacker.

THE KIND WORDS

BEN ALI LIBI, MAGICIAN

TUESDAY, MAY 17, 7:30 PM

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 7:30 PM

Dir. Shemi Zarhin (113 min, Israel/Canada, 2015) Hebrew and French with English subtitles Narrative

Dir. Dirk Jan Roeleven (54 min, Netherlands, 2015) Dutch with English subtitles Documentary

Three siblings are joined by the death of their mother, and a revelation about the identity of their ‘real’ father. They set off on a quirky journey from Israel through Paris and Marseille, but ultimately into the past, and their own confusing selves.

A heartfelt search for Ben Ali Libi, the main character in Dutch poet Willem Wilmink’s poem. Here we trace the larger story of the Holocaust by examining the magnificent life and tragic fate of renowned magician Ben Ali Libi. On June 20, 1943, Ben Ali Libi is arrested with his family and sent to Sobibor extermination camp, where he becomes one of 34,000 Dutch Jews to perish.

Nominated for 12 Israeli Academy Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, and Best Actor.

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Co-Sponsored by the Embassy of the Netherlands.

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EVERY WORD HAS POWER:

THE POETRY OF RABBI ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL

THOSE PEOPLE TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 7:30 PM

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 7:30 PM

Dir. Joey Kuhn (89 min, USA, 2015) Narrative

Dir. David Vinik (58 min, USA, 2015) Documentary

Charlie is young, good looking, and talented, but torn between his unrequited love for the decadent and selfish Sebastian, and his growing interest in Tim, a charming and unaffected Lebanese pianist.

Unapologetically sexy and embracing the louche world of its rich Manhattan backdrop, the immensely charismatic cast captures the invigorating excitement of the best coming-of-age tales.

Shot at Lincoln Center, this engaging concert film features Basya Schechter (of Pharaoh’s Daughter) adapting 10 of Rabbi Heschel’s poems into song. His immense influence as a social critic often overshadows the eloquence of his writing. Written when he was just 21, these poems express core Heschel themes: the mystery of the Divine, a passion for truth, and his solidarity with the marginalized.

Playing as part of the Washington Jewish Music Festival.

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Presented with

– the Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach and Engagement.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR MAJOR DONORS AND SPONSORS

LAMB TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 7:30 PM Dir. Yared Zeleke (94 min, Ethiopia/France/Germany/Norway/Qatar, 2015) Amharic with English subtitles Narrative

When Ephraim, an Ethiopian boy, is sent from his homeland to live with distant relatives, he takes his beloved sheep with him. One day, his uncle announces that he will have to sacrifice his sheep for the upcoming religious feast, but Ephraim is ready to do anything to save his only friend and return home.

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DAY SPONSOR Anne and Ronald Abramson Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation Scott Eric Dreyer and Ellen Clare Gillespie Dreyer The Dweck Family Lois and Richard England Family Foundation Susan and Michael Gelman Shelley and Allan Holt The Melvin and Estelle Gelman Foundation–Elise and Marc Lefkowitz Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Linda and Sid Moskowitz Melanie and Larry Nussdorf Deborah and Michael Salzberg PRODUCER Dr. Sara Cohen and Norman Rich, Dr. Paul and Cyna Cohen Barbara Silverstein and Alan Kirschenbaum

DIRECTOR Patty Abramson and Les Silverman Michele and Allan Berman Rose and Bob Cohen Dina Gold Liza and Michael Levy Richard Solloway Diane Abelman Wattenberg Judith Weintraub LIGHTS Dava Berkman Kenneth and Jessi Brooks and Anita Wolke Anne and Howard Clemons Jacqueline and Edward Cohen Myrna Fawcett Stephanie Flack and Jason Weinstein Brenda Gruss and Dan Hirsch Aviva Kempner Janet Leno and Peter Harrold Joy Midman Lynn and John Sachs Beth B. Sackler and Jeffrey N. Cohen Michael Singer

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