Courage, in many forms, is a dominant theme of this year’s diverse Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival, which returns this month for its 21st year.
In “Zemene,” a young Ethiopian girl with a life-threatening spinal deformity fights back with spirit until a Jewish doctor intervenes to obtain a surgical cure.
The documentary is the first film by Melissa Donovan, a cinematographer who happened to be in the country working on another project when she heard about the girl and Dr. Rick Hodes.
“I was captivated by Zemene’s amazing smile,” said Donovan. “And Rick Hodes is a remarkable man.”
In “Look at Us Now, Mother!,” another documentary, the filmmaker asks a question many adults can relate to—will she ever be able to forgive and cherish her mother “before time runs out.” Among other things, Gayle Kirschenbaum’s mother waged a relentless campaign for her daughter, from age 15 on, to have a nose job.
Rather than wallow in her resentment, Kirschenbaum found the courage to take her “emotionally abusive” mother on a journey of reconciliation.
“’Look at Us Now, Mother!’ has become a movement, not just a film,” she said. “After showings, people stand in line to tell me their stories. Many are in pain—successful on the outside but hurt. If you’re hurt when you’re a child, the pain remains.”
Still, the filmmaker, who will speak at the festival, hopes the film will “help teach them to forgive.”
“The mission of the Jewish Film Festival is to enrich the cultural life of the greater Harrisburg area by presenting films that reflect contemporary and historical Jewish and Israeli experiences,” said chairwoman Julie Sherman, who heads up the independent festival, held under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg.
Likewise, the protagonist of “Atomic Falafel” demonstrates a type of courage. This comedy by Israeli director Dror Shaul involves a 15-year-old trying to cope with a perpetually grieving mother, the family business of selling Israel’s national food from a cart to soldiers perpetually ready for war, and living in the town that houses the country’s secret nuclear weapons program.
When Nafar discovers that Israel is contemplating a “first-strike” nuclear attack on the home of her best Facebook friend in Iran, she works to save the day.
“Nominated for four Israeli Academy Awards, the film is fun and quirky, a modern-day ‘Dr. Strangelove,’” said Sherman. “I haven’t seen anything like it.”
The festival this year presents films from many countries and includes documentaries, comedies and dramas. Movies that relate to Israeli life and to the Holocaust also are featured.
“Focus,” a film based on distinguished playwright Arthur Miller’s only novel, examines the intense anti-Semitism in the United States during World War II. In “Secrets of War,” a drama by Dennis Bots, a young girl arrives in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village and befriends two male best friends—while causing both their hearts to flutter. Conflict arises when one boy’s father has links to the Resistance, while the other’s has Nazi sympathies.
“It’s a really lovely film, which explores the limits of friendship in extraordinary circumstances,” Sherman said.
In “God’s Slave,” a heart-pounding thriller by Joel Novoa, a terrorist who bombed the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires is pitted against the implacable Israeli special agent determined to uncover his terror cell.
On a lighter note, “Time to Say Goodbye” features Simon, a 12-year-old boy on the cusp of his bar mitzvah, who is caught between his separating and religiously warring parents. His father wants Simon finally to be circumcised; his mother objects strongly. Complicating the situation is a beautiful female rabbi, who steals the hearts of both father and son.
“It’s not a laugh-out-loud movie, but is a very relatable tale of first love and coming-of-age,” said Sherman. “The film is both silly and charming.”
Sherman said that the film festival committee hopes the inclusion of these new films will appeal especially to younger members of the community.
The festival features two special appearances by filmmakers. At the opening event on May 19, Melissa Donovan will speak about her film “Zemene.” On May 25, Gayle Kirschenbaum will be on hand for the screening of “Look At Us Now, Mother!”
Except for the opening event, which takes place at the JCC, 3301 N. Front St., all films will be shown at the Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St.
“This is our second full year in the Midtown, and we love that it’s a neighborhood cinema art house,” said Sherman
Tickets for the opening event are $10 each. Regular screenings cost $8, while matinees are $7. Friends of Midtown Cinema pricing is valid for the JFF.
Celebrating its 21st season, the festival is supported by the Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation.
For more information about the 2016 Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival, visit www.hbgjff.wordpress.com.
2016 Jewish Film Festival Schedule
May 19
7 p.m.: “Zemene” at the JCC
With filmmaker Melissa Donovan
Reception follows
May 20
5:30 p.m.: “Rock In the Red Zone”
May 21
8 p.m.: “The Seder”/“Serial (Bad) Weddings”
May 22
10 a.m.: “Focus” (book club discussion follows)
1:30 p.m.: “Secrets of War”
3:30 p.m.: “Time To Say Goodbye”
7 p.m.: “Wedding Doll”
May 23
3 p.m.: “Rosenwald”
5 p.m.: “God’s Slave”
7:30 p.m.: “Once In a Lifetime”
May 24
3 p.m.: “The Seder”/”Serial (Bad) Weddings”
3:15 p.m.: “Secrets of War”
5:15 p.m.: “Once In A Lifetime”
5:30 p.m.: “Time to Say Goodbye”
7:15 p.m.: “Rock in the Red Zone”
7:30 p.m.: “Atomic Falafel”
May 25
3 p.m.: “Wedding Doll”
5 p.m.: “God’s Slave”
7 p.m.: “Look At Us Now, Mother!”
(with filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum)
May 26
3 p.m.: “Look At Us Now, Mother!”
5 p.m.: “Atomic Falafel”
7 p.m.: “Deli Man”
(closing reception follows)
All films shown at Midtown Cinema except for opening night.
