Since it was founded fifteen years ago by filmmaker Michal Goldman, The
Boston Jewish Film Festival has presented to New England audiences some of the best contemporary films from around the world on Jewish themes. The Festival’s tradition of offering a rich variety of programming including features, shorts, documentaries, and conversations with visiting artists exploring Jewish identity continues again this year with an eclectic array of films and discussions.
In keeping with our annual issue dedicated to celebrating women in film, Imagine has put together a list of films included at this year’s Boston Jewish Film Festival either made by women directors or featuring stories of particular interest to women. For a complete schedule of all films, screening times, and venues, check out the Festival’s website at www.bjff.org.
NETIVA, by noted documentary filmmaker Lina Chaplin. Chaplin’s film confirms the importance of one woman’s role in the founding of the State of Israel.
MY TERRORIST, by Yulie Gerstel. Gerstel recounts her own experience dealing with the terrorist who almost killed her in a 1978 attack on an El Al crew in London.
SEWING FOR BREAD, a documentary co-directed by Julie Shles and Doron Tsabari. The film profiles the saga of 57 women who occupied the Ramon Sewing Workshop in Israel in 2000, to keep it from being closed.
The BJFF Shorts Program, “East Side/West Side, All Around” features Faye
Lederman’s A GOOD UPLIFT, a charming, funny film about Magda Bernstein, a Jewish grandmother who owns a lingerie shop on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Also included in the program is Judd Erlich’s, MAYOR OF THE WEST SIDE, which focuses almost as much on subject Mark Puddington’s mother as it does on the mentally challenged young man himself.
WELCOME TO THE WAKS FAMILY directed by Barbara Chobody, tells the story of a family of 17, all born to the same two Orthodox parents. It’s been described as a Jewish “Cheaper by the Dozen.”
DIVAN is the first film by director Pearl Gluck, who will be present at the Festival. The film is a visual parable in which reupholstering a couch is a means of reclaiming a family’s heritage.
CLASS QUEERS tells the story of the Triangle program in Toronto, Canada’s only specialized classroom for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender high school students. Co-director Melissa Levin present. Panel discussion to follow.
SUNSET STORY by Laura Gabbert, tells the story of two elderly female radicals, creating friendship late in life at a retirement home for like-minded seniors.
SHALOM IRELAND by Valerie Lapin Ganley, chronicles the story of Ireland’s Jews, including Robert Briscoe, the first Jewish Lord Mayor of Dublin.
SECRET PASSAGE about two Jewish sisters, who exhibit strength in the face of the Spanish Inquisition.
THUNDER IN GUYANA, a first film by Suzanne Wasserman, tells the story of the first woman president of Guyana.
UNSTRUNG HEROES, directed by Diane Keaton. This overlooked gem from 1995 is based on the autobiographical novel by sportswriter Franz Lidz. The star of the film, Maury Chaykin, will be present for the screening.
This year, in conjunction with the Harvard Film Archive, the BJFF will present a special program featuring the work of Barbara Hammer, a feminist activist and pioneer of lesbian cinema. Titles include her newest film, RESISTING PARADISE, as well as OUR GRIEF IS NOT A CRY FOR WAR and MY BABUSHKA: SEARCHING UKRAINIAN IDENTITIES.