| The Sixth Annual Kirk Cashmere Jewish Film Festival Presented by Temple Emanu-El |
As Seen Through These Eyes
Director: Hilary Helstein. USA 2007
The Holocaust is a horrible time in history, but there are some stories
which can be uplifting. This story focuses on the artists of the
concentration camps. Through the voice Dr. Maya Angelou, we are
taken inside the camps. Jews were chosen by Hitler and his men to
draw and design what they saw—and what they saw was true horror.
But through their eyes, they saw life. Simon Wiesenthal speaks
about the horrible events that occurred to him and his family hearing
him talk about that time—and seeing his drawings, it’s inspiring and
sad at the same time. To know he survived the Holocaust, but his
family did not is heart-breaking. A gypsy gentleman who tells his tale
of being a young child in the camps, seeing his family killed. This is
what makes this film unique; not many know about the other
minorities forced to be slaves, starved to death.
Director: Hilary Helstein. USA 2007
The Holocaust is a horrible time in history, but there are some stories
which can be uplifting. This story focuses on the artists of the
concentration camps. Through the voice Dr. Maya Angelou, we are
taken inside the camps. Jews were chosen by Hitler and his men to
draw and design what they saw—and what they saw was true horror.
But through their eyes, they saw life. Simon Wiesenthal speaks
about the horrible events that occurred to him and his family hearing
him talk about that time—and seeing his drawings, it’s inspiring and
sad at the same time. To know he survived the Holocaust, but his
family did not is heart-breaking. A gypsy gentleman who tells his tale
of being a young child in the camps, seeing his family killed. This is
what makes this film unique; not many know about the other
minorities forced to be slaves, starved to death.
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Director: Marc Rothemund. Germany 2005 111 min.
The year is 1943 and Adolf Hitler's devastating march
across Europe has resulted in the formation of the White
Rose, an underground resistance movement born in
Munich and dedicated to the fall of the Third Reich. Despite
being one of the only female members in the White Rose
movement, Sophie Scholl's conviction is strong and her will
unbreakable. Eventually arrested by the Gestapo for
distributing pamphlets on campus alongside her brother
Hans, Sophie boldly maintains her ground by calling for
freedom and personal responsibility and never once
backing down even in the face of certain, inescapable
death.
Director: Marc Rothemund. Germany 2005 111 min.
The year is 1943 and Adolf Hitler's devastating march
across Europe has resulted in the formation of the White
Rose, an underground resistance movement born in
Munich and dedicated to the fall of the Third Reich. Despite
being one of the only female members in the White Rose
movement, Sophie Scholl's conviction is strong and her will
unbreakable. Eventually arrested by the Gestapo for
distributing pamphlets on campus alongside her brother
Hans, Sophie boldly maintains her ground by calling for
freedom and personal responsibility and never once
backing down even in the face of certain, inescapable
death.
Raananah: A World of Our Own
Director: Marlene Booth. USA 30 min.
An intimate look at one remarkable community and its
independent people as they gracefully age. Fifty years ago, a
group of idealistic Jewish immigrants formed a summer refuge,
Raananah. Through home movies, we see the founders as
young people and hear of their lives and dreams. Today we
meet these same people at Raananah as they reflect on their
lives, their children, and aging together with dignity.
Playing with:
California Schmeer
This short film showcases the role of the bagel in the American
culinary experience.
Director: Marlene Booth. USA 30 min.
An intimate look at one remarkable community and its
independent people as they gracefully age. Fifty years ago, a
group of idealistic Jewish immigrants formed a summer refuge,
Raananah. Through home movies, we see the founders as
young people and hear of their lives and dreams. Today we
meet these same people at Raananah as they reflect on their
lives, their children, and aging together with dignity.
Playing with:
California Schmeer
This short film showcases the role of the bagel in the American
culinary experience.
Out of Sight
Director Daniel Syrkin. Israel, 2005 85 min.
Two young Israeli girls, cousins of one another, are best friends
from their earliest years. After they are grown, one of them kills
herself, seemingly for no reason. The other friend, who has
been blind from birth, is able to process facts that the sighted
persons around her cannot, and she works to understand why
her best friend took her own life. This intense and riveting
story, the ending of which will startle you, reveals a dark secret
in the dead girl’s family. Winner of the Israeli Academy Award in
2005 for Best Director.
Director Daniel Syrkin. Israel, 2005 85 min.
Two young Israeli girls, cousins of one another, are best friends
from their earliest years. After they are grown, one of them kills
herself, seemingly for no reason. The other friend, who has
been blind from birth, is able to process facts that the sighted
persons around her cannot, and she works to understand why
her best friend took her own life. This intense and riveting
story, the ending of which will startle you, reveals a dark secret
in the dead girl’s family. Winner of the Israeli Academy Award in
2005 for Best Director.
Bad Faith
Director: Roschdy Zem. France/Belgium 2006 84 min.
Ismaël and Clara are two French thirty-somethings happily
enjoying their four-year romance. They think nothing of the fact
that Ismaël is an Arab Muslim and Clara a Jew because both are
non-practicing. The issue of their interfaith relationship rears its
head when the couple learns Clara is pregnant. As anticipated,
after facing the daunting and difficult task of telling their parents
about the relationship, neither family takes well to the news.
Zem’s directorial debut is a comedic look at a realistic account of
the concerns that arise between two people of different faiths
and their future as a family. While both Clara and Ismaël take a
sudden interest in their faiths after bringing the news to their
families, ultimately, their love and connection proves stronger
than either faith.
Director: Roschdy Zem. France/Belgium 2006 84 min.
Ismaël and Clara are two French thirty-somethings happily
enjoying their four-year romance. They think nothing of the fact
that Ismaël is an Arab Muslim and Clara a Jew because both are
non-practicing. The issue of their interfaith relationship rears its
head when the couple learns Clara is pregnant. As anticipated,
after facing the daunting and difficult task of telling their parents
about the relationship, neither family takes well to the news.
Zem’s directorial debut is a comedic look at a realistic account of
the concerns that arise between two people of different faiths
and their future as a family. While both Clara and Ismaël take a
sudden interest in their faiths after bringing the news to their
families, ultimately, their love and connection proves stronger
than either faith.
I Have Never Forgotten You:
The Life and Legacy of Simon
Wiesenthal
Director: Richard Trank. USA 2005
105 min.
Narrated by Academy Award-winning
actress Nicole Kidman, this film is a
comprehensive look at the life and
legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, the famed
Nazi hunter and humanitarian. It features
interviews with longtime Wiesenthal
associates, government leaders from
around the world, friends and family
members -- many of whom have never
discussed the legendary Nazi hunter and
humanitarian on camera. Previously
unseen archival film and photos also
highlight the film.
The Life and Legacy of Simon
Wiesenthal
Director: Richard Trank. USA 2005
105 min.
Narrated by Academy Award-winning
actress Nicole Kidman, this film is a
comprehensive look at the life and
legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, the famed
Nazi hunter and humanitarian. It features
interviews with longtime Wiesenthal
associates, government leaders from
around the world, friends and family
members -- many of whom have never
discussed the legendary Nazi hunter and
humanitarian on camera. Previously
unseen archival film and photos also
highlight the film.
| KIRK CASHMERE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY: TEMPLE EMANU-EL |
The First Basket
Director: David Vyorst. USA 2007 86
min.
In the 1946 opening fame of the
fledgling Basketball Association of
America, Ossie Schectman scored the
opening basket for the New York
Knickerbockers against the Toronto
Huskies. Schectman and his
teammates, Sonny Hertzberg, Stan
Stutz, Hank Rosenstein, Ralph
Kaplowitz, Jake Weber and Leo "Ace"
Gottlieb went on to finish the season
with a 33-27 record. In 1949, the BBA
became the National Basketball
Association (NBA), and Schectman's
shot is considered the first basket in
the NBA. In fact, several of the NBA
teams evolved out of the settlement
houses and community center leagues
that sprung from the Jewish inner-city
neighborhoods of the early 20th
century. While the era of Jewish
professional basketball players has
passed, the story of these sports
pioneers illustrates how the American
20th Century was shaped by the
experiences of many immigrant groups.
Director: David Vyorst. USA 2007 86
min.
In the 1946 opening fame of the
fledgling Basketball Association of
America, Ossie Schectman scored the
opening basket for the New York
Knickerbockers against the Toronto
Huskies. Schectman and his
teammates, Sonny Hertzberg, Stan
Stutz, Hank Rosenstein, Ralph
Kaplowitz, Jake Weber and Leo "Ace"
Gottlieb went on to finish the season
with a 33-27 record. In 1949, the BBA
became the National Basketball
Association (NBA), and Schectman's
shot is considered the first basket in
the NBA. In fact, several of the NBA
teams evolved out of the settlement
houses and community center leagues
that sprung from the Jewish inner-city
neighborhoods of the early 20th
century. While the era of Jewish
professional basketball players has
passed, the story of these sports
pioneers illustrates how the American
20th Century was shaped by the
experiences of many immigrant groups.