The JCC in Marblehead will launch its 11th annual International Jewish Film Festival on Thursday, May 2. The series includes 16 movies, from comedies to dramas and political thrillers.
All films will be screened at Cinema Salem.
“We are thrilled to bring the North Shore community together for this year’s outstanding lineup of films, once again inspired by Jewish history, culture and values,” said Sara Ewing, director of Adult Programs at the JCCNS. “We are excited to welcome three brilliant film directors who will introduce their films and facilitate Q&As with the audience, and for the first time ever we’ll feature a night of short films.”
Opening night will feature the 2023 documentary “Remembering Gene Wilder,” celebrating the comedic actor’s life and work in movies like “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein” and “Willy Wonka.”
Director and co-writer Glenn Kirschbaum will introduce the film and lead a Q&A period afterwards. A Boston native, Kirschbaum has spent more than 40 years working in television production.
To learn more and get tickets, visit jccns.org. Here’s a quick look at the rest of the festival:
Saturday, May 4, “Yaniv”
After funding is cut for the school musical, a high school teacher in the Bronx resolves to earn it
back by recruiting a fellow statistics teacher (who is secretly a card counter and recovering gambling addict) to cheat at an underground card game run by the Hasidic Jewish community. The plan goes awry with mounting consequences, but help comes at an unexpected time from the least likely people.
Sunday, May 5, “The Zone of Interest”
The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife, Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family while their home sits mere yards away from the setting of the worst atrocities of recent history. Shot in and around the historic site of Auschwitz.
Wednesday, May 8, A Night of Shorts
A showcase of short films from across the world.
Friday, May 10, “The Catskills”
“The Catskills” is a nostalgic tribute to what became affectionately known as the Borscht Belt. Stand-up comedians share their best shtick while former waiters, entertainers and dance instructors recount tales of the family-run resorts and bungalows that inspired films like “Dirty Dancing.”
Tuesday, May 14, “No Name Restaurant”
This culture-clash odyssey features an improbable friendship between a stranded Brooklyn Jew and an Arab nomad in the desert, bringing humor and camaraderie. Ultra-Orthodox Ben sets out to rescue Alexandria, Egypt’s dwindling Jewish community, but finds himself marooned in the Sinai Desert. His last glimmer of hope rests with Adel, a gruff Bedouin in search of his lost camel.
Wednesday, May 15, “Children of Peace”
In the 1970s, a group of dreamers embarked on a utopian experiment, giving birth to Neve Shalom — a village envisioned as a model of harmonious coexistence between Arabs and Jews. Despite their noble aspirations, this community found itself entangled in internal conflicts and beset by external challenges that put their revolutionary vision to the test.
Friday, May 17, “Stella”
It is 1937 and Stella, a German Jewish refugee, finds work in a Scottish country estate owned by the fascist Earl of Rig. With war looming and desperate to find her missing parents, Stella is quickly accepted as one of the family and must hide her true identity to survive. While there she falls in love, which proves to be life-changing. Based on the folktale of Cinderella, Stella is the tale of a refugee who champions the struggle with identity, home and love.
Sunday, May 19, “Shoshana”
Inspired by real events, “Shoshana” is a political thriller set in 1930s Tel Aviv, which looks at the way political extremism and violence drives a wedge between people, forcing them to choose sides.
Wednesday, May 22, “Love Gets a Room”
Inspired by true events during the 1942 Nazi occupation of Poland, “Love Gets A Room” is the story of a Jewish stage actress who must make the gut-wrenching decision to follow her heart or to escape the Warsaw ghetto.
Thursday, May 23, “Call Me Dancer”
Manish, a talented young street dancer from Mumbai, is determined to be a professional dancer, despite the odds stacked against him and parents who insist that he follow a traditional path. He meets an Israeli ballet master who encourages him to pursue his dream. However, when pitted against another talented dancer, Manish realizes he must push himself to his physical limits to succeed.
