Louisville Jewish Film Fest 2018 — Individual Film Info

Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me

Opening Night Celebration of our 20th Year features singer Rick Quizol crooning tunes and a catered reception.
Sponsored by Wilma Probst Levy in honor of Louis Levy, Bellarmine University Hillel and JHFE.

USA , 100 minutes
Directed by Sam Pollard

Sammy Davis, Jr. was a living example of intersectionality, a trailblazer at a time in the mid-twentieth century when he addressed complex issues with his own unique humor. Davis once stated: “I’m Puerto Rican, Jewish, colored, and married to a white woman. When I move into a neighborhood, people start running in four ways at the same time.” Davis strove to achieve the American dream in the face of widespread discrimination. A star-studded roster of interviewees (including Jerry Lewis, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal) pay tribute to the legendary, multi-talented man. Including wonderful footage of his electric performances, this documentary explores the life and art of a uniquely gifted entertainer.

Sat. Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Bellarmine University, Wyatt Hall, Cralle Theatre (access off Norris Place)
$17
/advance, $20/door, $8/students, includes catered reception
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The Pickle Recipe

USA, 97 minutes

To set the mood for this hilarious comedy, Michael Fraade, JOFEE Director, will demonstrate how to make some different pickled vegetables, followed by a tasting table to sample his recipes.

In this endearing family comedy, the king of Detroit’s Jewish party scene is in debt and desperate to find a way to pay for his daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. He turns to his shady uncle Morty, who agrees to loan him the money if Joey will steal his grandmother’s secret pickle recipe. With the help of a pseudo rabbi to gain the trust of Grandma Rose, he infiltrates her popular deli, and nothing goes as planned.

Wed. Feb. 7, 7 p.m.
Congregation Adath Jeshurun (2401 Woodbourne Ave.)
$10/advance, $12.50/door, $5/student
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Keep the Change

USA, 94 minutes

Following the film, Talleri McRae, theater artist and educator, will discuss sensory-friendly arts programs in our city.

In this romantic, charming comedy, David, an upper-class student leads a very comfortable life, until he is mandated to attend a support group for adults with disabilities. There, he is forced to accept his own high-functioning autism. In the group, David is paired with Sarah, a confident, quirky extrovert, who annoys David. Despite their differences, they become friends, and Sarah challenges him to accept his own uniqueness. This endearing film stars many amateur actors with autism who portray the characters with authenticity, optimism and humor.

Best Narrative Feature and Best New Narrative Director at Tribeca Film Festival. Opening night film at San Francisco Film Festival.

Sat. Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Village 8 Theatres
$10/advance, $12.50/door, $5/students
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Abulele

Israel, 96 minutes

Family friendly and suitable for ages 9 and up (English subtitles)

Similar to the film E.T., this is a delightful tale of fantasy, wonder and mystery. Ten- year- old Adam’s life changes when he meets Abulele, an ancient, huge, friendly and invisible monster. He soon becomes Adam’s secret best friend. When he befriends and shelters this mythical creature, it helps him to outsmart bullies at school and overcome his grief and guilt following his brother’s death.

Sponsored by Ann and Coleman Friedman Children’s Judaic Activity Fund.

Sun. Feb. 11, 10 a.m.
Village 8 Theatres
$10/advance, $12.50/door, $5/student
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1945

DCP, in Hungarian and Russian with English subtitles, 91 minutes

Moderated discussion will follow the film, led by Fred Whittaker, teacher at St. Francis of Assisi and Holocaust educator.

On a hot August day after the war, villagers prepare for the wedding of the town clerk’s son. Simultaneously, two Orthodox Jews step down from the train with mysterious boxes. The suspicious and cunning residents, most of whom share guilty secrets, fear that these men may be heirs to deported Jews who have returned to demand their illegally acquired property. A superb ensemble cast and lustrous black and white cinematography create a haunting and unforgettable film.

Winner of many Jewish Film Festival Audience Awards and Yad Vashem Chairman’s Award at Jerusalem Film Festival. Co-sponsored by Speed Cinema at the Speed Art Museum

Following the film there will be a moderated discussion.

Thurs. Feb. 15, 7 p.m.
Speed Cinema at the Speed Art Museum (2035 S. 3rd St.)
Parking is available in the Speed Art Museum Garage. Signs will direct you to the Speed Cinema.

$10/advance, $12.50/door, $5/student
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Past Life

Israel, 107 minutes

Received 6 nominations at Jerusalem Film Festival.

“Avi Nesher’s brilliant, haunting Past Life may be his best film yet — and that’s saying a lot.” – Jerusalem Post

Set in 1977, this tense thriller captures the dynamics of two Israeli sisters who unravel the shocking truth about their father’s past in wartime Poland. Guilty secrets and troubling revelations are revealed charting dangerous emotional territory, which is still very much part of the Israeli collective subconscious. This suspenseful plot, inspired by a true story, features gripping performances and an original musical score.

Sat. Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Village 8 Theatre
$10/advance, $12.50/door, $5/student
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Student Films from the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television at Tel Aviv University

Israel, 110 minutes

A program of seven short student films from Steve Tisch School of Film and Television at Tel Aviv University. This is the largest film school in Israel and the only film school in the world where student filmmakers own the rights to their student films.

The films featured include the following:
Omar by Noa Gottesman, Asaf Schwartz-13 minutes. Eighteen-year-old Omer wakes up one day with a thick beard and discovers that he has turned into Omar, an Arab.
Keys by Hadar Reichman-12 minutes. What happens when a secular Israeli mother wants to drive her son for a birthday treat on the Sabbath and her car is blocked by a religious family’s car?
Babysitter by Heli Hardy-19 minutes. Winner of best fiction film at the 48th Student Film Festival in Montreal. Yafit works as a babysitter in a hotel in Eilat. Then Ron, an old unfulfilled flame, shows up on vacation.
Sante directed by Sabrine Khoury-19 minutes. An Arab salsa dancer in a relationship with her Jewish partner perform in an Israeli settlement.
Leftovers by Yael Arad Zafrir-19 minutes. A devoted wife takes care of her disabled husband leaving her with unmet needs. Contains graphic sexual scenes
Ziva and Amal by Tal Oved-13 minutes. Jewish Ziva rooms with Amal, a young Arab woman, and decides to test their friendship.
Operator by Ben Hakim-15 minutes. Screened at Tribeca Film Festival. A single mom works as a drone operator to support her family. What are the moral dilemmas that stem from long-distance killing with no risk to the operator’s life?

The Speed Art Museum opens at noon for the Owsley Brown Free Sunday. Enjoy the museum exhibits and a free matinee of exceptional student films. Sponsored by Cantor David Lipp’s Discretionary Fund of Congregation Adath Jeshurun and Speed Cinema at Speed Art Museum

Sun. Feb. 18, 12:30 p.m.
Speed Cinema at the Speed Art Museum (2035 S. 3rd St.)
Paid parking is available in the Speed Art Museum Garage. Signs will direct you to the Speed Cinema.

Free Admission


Ma’aleh School of Television, Film and Arts

Israel, 71 minutes

Includes reception following the film.

Gravedigger’s Daughter-17 minutes. Mayor of Jerusalem Prize, Best Narrative Film. Esther’s father, a gravedigger, left only one significant request in his will: that one of his sons continue with his profession. Esther, his only daughter, embarks upon a struggle to carry on her father’s legacy over many objections.

Father-24 minutes. Eyal returns home from India, where he has decided to become religiously observant. His secular parents are shocked by the change in him. Unable to bear the conflict at home, Eyal leaves and searches for a way to return to his family.

16-30 minutes. Two Jewish boys and two Muslim boys, age 16, are roommates at a boarding school in Jerusalem. All experience difficulties for different reasons and must find their identity during the painful process of growing up.

Sponsored by The Temple.

Mon. Feb. 19, 7 p.m.
The Temple (5101 US 42)
Free Admission


Let Yourself Go

Italy, 98 minutes

In this crazy comedy, distinguished and uptight psychoanalyst Dr. Elia Venezia is long separated from his wife, who lives in the apartment next door, does his laundry, cooks his meals and goes out with him. His life changes when his doctor insists on a strict regimen of exercise for him, and he meets Claudia, an uninhibited personal trainer. His methodical life is swept into chaos as he finds himself letting go of more than just a few extra pounds.

Winner of Italian Golden Globe for Best Comedy. Sponsored by Toni Goldman.

Sat. Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Village 8 Theatres
$10/advance, $12.50/door, $5/student
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Fanny’s Journey

Belgium, 94 minutes

Appropriate for ages 9 and up (English subtitles)

In this coming-of-age drama based on a true story in 1943, 13-year- old Fanny and her younger sisters are sent to a boarding school for Jewish children. When the Nazis arrive in Italy, their caretakers desperately organize the departure of the children to Switzerland. Finding themselves left on their own, the 11 children do the impossible and trek through the countryside searching for safety.  Fanny’s Journey is an incredible tale of bravery, survival and suspense.

Winner of over 22 Audience Awards at Jewish Film Festivals.Sponsored by Ann and Coleman Friedman Children’s Judaic Activity Fund.

Sun. Feb. 25, 12:30 p.m.
Village 8 Theatres
$10/advance, $12.50/door, $5/student
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Belle and Sebastian

France (dubbed in English), 104 minutes

This beautifully filmed story, based on a beloved children’s novel, portrays the unshakeable bond between an orphan boy and his dog. Sebastian, who lives with his grandfather near the French-Swiss border, befriends Belle who is suspected of killing livestock. When Nazis march into town looking for French Resistance leaders who are guiding Jewish refugees to safety, the boy and his dog lead the way to safety through the gorgeous but treacherous mountains.

Belle and Sebastian is an homage to the beloved live-action nature films of Disney, but with a pulse-pounding World War II subplot that will captivate audiences of all ages.

Recommended for ages 8+ (Parental guidance: Threat of physical violence, tense moments, dubbed in English). Winner of Films 4 Families Youth Jury Award at Seattle International Film Festival. Sponsored by the Louisville Children’s Film Festival.

Sun. Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Village 8 Theatres
$7.50/advance, $10/door, $5/student
View Trailer