With the 24th season of the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film briskly underway, national and international movies, including documentaries and full feature dramas created by award winning Jewish writers and filmmakers, are being shown at multiple locales around Tidewater. Guest speakers accompany some films.
Monday, January 16, 7 pm, Naro Expanded Cinema
Mal Vincent, esteemed local critic and masterful storyteller will share his insights and little known facts about the 1969 film, Goodbye, Columbus, his classic film pick for this year’s festival. Vincent will recount stories about Philip Roth’s 1959 novella adaption to the big screen starring Ali MacGraw and Richard Benjamin.
Wednesday, January 18, 7 pm, Simon Family JCC
Chloe Valdary, a leading voice in the pro-Israel movement and a star in this film, will lead a post film discussion after the 30 minute screening of Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus. In 2013, Valdary held her first Israel rally on her school’s campus, named “Declare your Freedom.” Her speech, aimed at anti-Israel activists, went viral in 10 days. Tools and resources on how to respond to the rise of anti-Israel activity and anti-Semitism rhetoric on university campuses will be addressed at this timely event.
Thursday, January 19, 7 pm, Beach Movie Bistro
Order some food and drinks while enjoying the winner of the Israeli Academy Award for Best Independent film, Is That You? The scope of Dani Menkin’s award-winning directorial talents is on display at this film festival, as he also directed On The Map, the opening night documentary. In this funny and bittersweet comedy, Is That You?, Menkin explores those roads not taken in life and love.
Saturday, January 21, 7 pm, TCC Roper Performing Arts Center
Foodies will love In Search of Israeli Cuisine, with 2011 James Beard Award winning chef, Michael Solomonov, sharing his journey into the food traditions found in Israel today—Jewish, Arabic, Muslim, Christian, and Druze. A rich human story emerges from this Israeli film with food uniting diverse cultures.
Sunday, January 22, 5:30 pm, TCC Roper Performing Arts Center
A special evening treat begins with a pre-event New Orleans inspired reception, then a fascinating “feel-good” film and a singing performance by the film’s star, Samantha Montgomery (Princess Shaw). Ido Haar’s fascinating documentary, Presenting Princess Shaw, is a real life Cinderella story, where serendipity, creativity and the Internet collide.
To view trailers and buy tickets, go to www.SimonFamilyJCC.org/FilmFestival. The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film is presented by Alma* and Howard Laderberg
*of blessed memory