Have you checked the schedule for the Cleveland Jewish FilmFest (Oct. 8 – 18, 2015) yet? If you don’t have 11 days to spend in darkened theater, you’re going to have to make some tough decisions. Mandel JCC has assembled an impressive array of 30 films exploring identity and culture. Stories range from the story of a 76 year-old man bent on carrying out his own Mossad-like Nazi capture to a celebration of the Jewish deli. Still not sure what to see? Here are three cinematic adventures to consider:
Remember
Mon., Oct. 12, 4pm @ Cedar Lee Theatre
A late addition to the Festival, this tense thriller from director Atom Egoyan tells the story of two former Auschwitz prisoners and their plot to bring justice to the man who destroyed their lives. Christopher Plummer has been lauded in the press for his poignant performance as an elderly Holocaust survivor struggling with dementia.
Let’s Go!
Mon., Oct. 12, 7:30 pm @ Cedar Lee Theatre
This is the film the Maltz Museum is presenting at this year’s FilmFest. It’s a drama from director Michael Verhoeven based on an autobiographical novel by Laura Waco. The compelling look at family dynamics explores the distance that has grown between a young woman and her mother, a Jewish-German Holocaust survivor.
Breaking Home Ties
Sat., Oct. 18, 7pm @ Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center
Thinking he has killed his friend in a jealous rage, David Bergmann flees pre-revolutionary Russia. He goes on to become a successful lawyer. But when his wealthy parents sell their posh home in St. Petersburg and immigrate to New York they are unable to find their son and fall into poverty. Long considered lost, the 1922 silent Yiddish treasure was discovered and restored by the National Center for Jewish Film. This screening will feature the live musical accompaniment of pianist Donald Sosin and violinist Joseph Morag.
Ready for more cinema? This year, due to the Jewish holidays, the Jewish FilmFest overlaps slightly with the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival. You can hit them both up and create your own indie movie marathon.
