#FIRSTLOOK: TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ON NOW TILL JUNE 9, 2024

On Thursday, May 30th, MIDAS MAN opened the 32nd edition of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema welcomed guests including director Joe Stephenson. A post-screening Q&A was moderated by TJFF Director of Programming, Stuart Hands.

MIDAS MAN is the emotional, heartfelt and often funny story of how Brian Epstein (played by Jacob Fortune-Lloyd), polished four scruffy lads who were going nowhere and in a matter of months turned them into a global phenomenon. They became better known as The Beatles.

Toronto Jewish Film Festival runs until Sunday, June 9th, 2024 with virtual and in-person screenings.

STILL TO COME AT TJFF…
All About the Levkoviches
Adam Breier | Hungary
In-person

Auction
Pascal Bonitzer | France
In-person & Online
*Canadian Premiere

Boy In The Woods
Rebecca Snow | Canada
In-person
*Toronto Premiere

Between the Temples
Nathan Silver | United States
In-person
*Canadian Premiere

The Catskills
Lex Gillespie | United States
In-person
*Canadian Premiere

Just Now Jeffrey
Hylton Tannenbaum, Brett Morris |
South Africa
In-person & Online
*Canadian Premiere

Where is Anne Frank
Ari Folman | Belgium, France, Netherlands, Israel
In-person & Online

Taboo: Amos Guttman
Shauly Melamed | Israel
In-person
*Canadian Premiere
*Programmer’s Pick

Yaniv
Amnon Carmi | United States
In-person
*Centrepiece Film
*Programmer’s Pick

Shoshana
Michael Winterbottom | United Kingdom, Italy
In-person & Online

Seven Blessings
Ayelet Menahemi | Israel
In-person
*Toronto Premiere

Silver’s Uprising
Dan Shadur | Israel
In-person
*Canadian Premiere
*Closing Night Film

The Future
Noam Kaplan | Israel
In-person
*Canadian Premiere

The Goldman Case
Cédric Kahn | France
In-person & Online

Unspoken
Jeremy Borison | United States
In-person
*Canadian Premiere

999: The Forgotten Girls of the Holocaust
Beatriz Calleja & Heather Dune Macadam | United States, Canada, Slovakia, Poland
In-person & Online
*Ontario Premiere

#FIRSTLOOK: TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE 2024 PROGRAMMING LINEUP

The Toronto Jewish Film Foundation is proud to announce its 32nd annual Festival, which will be taking place from May 30th – June 9th, 2024. The TJFF 2024 slate will consist of over 80 films/series from across the globe 36 of which are Canadian premieres, covering a wide range of topics.

TJFF are proud to announce that the Canadian Premiere of MIDAS MAN will kick off the festival’s in-person screenings on Thursday, May 30th at 8:00 p.m. ET. MIDAS MAN is the emotional, heartfelt and often funny story of how Brian Epstein polished four scruffy lads who were going nowhere and in a matter of months turned them into a global phenomenon; The Beatles. Directed by Joe Stephenson, the film stars Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (The Queen’s Gambit) as Brian Epstein.

TJFF are thrilled to welcome special guests for several in-person screenings. Films with guest appearances include: comedies YANIV (Centrepiece film) and ALL ABOUT THE LEVKOVICHES, drama AUCTION, Canadian drama THE BOY IN THE WOODS and documentary films 999: THE FORGOTTEN GIRLS OF THE HOLOCAUST, THE ANARCHIST LUNCH & CROSSING THE RIVER. Star of Israel’s Oscars entry SEVEN BLESSINGS and Tribeca selection THE FUTURE, Reymonde Amsallem, will also make an appearance at respective screenings at this year’s festival and SILVER’S UPRISING will close the Festival with special guests director Dan Shadur and writer Ido Mizrahi.

Other films that will be featured this year are, Sundance Film Festival and Berlinale selection BETWEEN THE TEMPLES, Cannes Film Festival 2023 Critics Week pick THE GOLDMAN CASE with a virtual Q&A with director Cédric Kahn and the Canadian Premiere of THE CATSKILLS by director Lex Gillespie (The Mamboniks, TJFF 2019) which resurrects a vibrant slice of Jewish American life that inspired films and TV series including Dirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

This year’s Festival will also offer several free screenings in their newly-curated ‘City Spotlight’ program which features a retrospective of film and television productions from Winnipeg, including: THE MOURNING SUIT and the beloved cult series LESS THAN KIND which will welcome discussions from filmmakers at their respective screenings. Online screenings in this series will be available for free Canada-wide. For more information on this newly curated series, visit https://tjff.com/tjff-city-spotlight-winnipeg/.

The Festival will again be taking a hybrid approach, making it more accessible to a wider audience – with dozens of virtual screenings and over 40 in-person screenings at local theatres in Toronto. In addition, a selection of virtual screenings as a part of TJFF’s virtual programming can be found at watch.tjff.com.

See below for additional screenings that will be featured at this year’s Festival:

Unspoken
Jeremy Borison | United States
In-person
*Canadian Premiere

Taboo: Amos Guttman
Shauly Melamed | Israel
In-person
*Canadian Premiere
*Programmer’s Pick

Where is Anne Frank
Ari Folman | Belgium, France, Netherlands, Israel
In-person & Online

Just Now Jeffrey
Hylton Tannenbaum, Brett Morris | South Africa
In-person & Online
*Canadian Premiere

Shoshana
Michael Winterbottom | United Kingdom, Italy
In-person & Online

The full 2024 Festival lineup & event list can be found at https://tjff.com/tjff2024-festival-lineup/.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://tjff.com/tjff2024-festival-passes/

#TJFF: 2023 TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS

The Toronto Jewish Film Foundation has announced their 2023 Filmmaker Awards including the Chosen Film, Micki Moore Award, David A. Stein Memorial Award and NextGen Award for Best Short Film.

The new comedy-musical, Less Than Kosher, which had a sold-out World Premiere at the festival took home the title of The Chosen Film: People’s Choice Award. TJFF will host an encore screening.

The Micki Moore Award celebrating the Best Narrative Feature Film directed by a woman went to Florence Miailhe’s The Crossing.

The David A. Stein Memorial Award, which supports documentary filmmakers went to Itamar Alcalay & Meital Zvieli’s The Camera of Doctor Morris.

The short film, Demon Box, directed by Sean Wainsteim, took home the NextGen Award for Best Short Film.

#TJFF: 2023 TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

The Toronto Jewish Film Festival is back June 1-11, 2023 digitally and online! The Festival will feature more in-person screenings (from downtown Toronto to North York) with guests, after navigating the Pandemic. This 31st edition of the Festival boasts 77 films/series (including 28 Canadian premieres) from across the globe covering a variety of topics, including The Man in the Basement, which will open the Festival on June 1st, 2023 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema with Director Philippe Le Guay in attendance.

Among the other events and screenings you won’t want to miss are An Afternoon with Saul Rubinek, Nina and Friends (Nina Keogh is one of the Puppeteers behind Canadian classics Today’s Special and Mr. Dressup) and highly-acclaimed film Karaoke.

Our George Kozera (@PartyG) has had the pleasure of previewing a few selections from this year’s Festival. He shares his thoughts below with us.

THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT

The Toronto Jewish Film Festival opening night movie, THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT, is a gripping and provocative exploration of anti-Semitism coupled with the crumbling of what once was an idyllic familial dynamic. Parisian condo owners, Simon and Helene Sandberg (Jeremie Renier and Berenice Bejo, respectively) are in the process of selling their storage basement unit to a former history teacher Jacques Fonzic (Francois Cluzet) who wants to use it to store his recently deceased mother’s belongings. Whereas the deed to the property had not yet been executed, the all-too-trusting Simon signs a promissory note, cashes the cheque and hands over the key. Then, it begins. First, a neighbour advises Simon that Fonzic is not using the unit for storage, but actually lives in it. Then Fonzic starts to question the Sandberg’s daughter Justine (Victoria Eber) about her religion and ends with him calling the owner of a nearby bistro “A dirty Arab”. Along with the family, the audience learns that Fonzic is not only a conspiracy theorist but a Holocaust denier. We watch in horror and dread as the Sandbergs’ life crumbles in trying to legally evict this reprehensible person.

I wasn’t mesmerized with THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT, as my feelings went deeper than that. This Movie had me hypnotized as the plot advances with terrifying circumstances alongside its twists and turns. This is also due to the exceptional performances by the three leading Actors. Francois Cluzet, best known to North American audiences for starring in “The Intouchables”, is superb with a level of intensity and twisted logic that is genuinely frightening. Berenice Bejo (Oscar-nominated for “The Artist”) is equally impressive as Helene becomes more obsessed with the anti-Semitism she never realized existed, which includes comments made by her father. Jeremie Renier, whose career I have followed for years, excels in a role where he must carry innumerable emotions with finesse. From being sweet natured to ultimately being called a “self-hating Jew” by his older brother, then becoming borderline psychotic, prone to violence, this is Renier’s best screen performance to date.

The vicious ideologies espoused and the almost unknowing racist comments made by secondary characters are hard to wrap your brain around, but taking into account what is happening with our neighbours to the south, THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT is essential viewing.

Tickets and showtimes here.

LESS THAN KOSHER (CENTREPIECE FILM)

We first meet Viv (Shaina Silver-Baird) in a bar, breaking every Yom Kippur tradition. She is drunker than a barrel full of monkeys, snorting copious lines of coke in the washroom and is scarfing down bacon with a passion of someone finding water in a desert. Welcome to the hyper-comedic world of LESS THAN KOSHER, a movie so great that will make you salivate with anticipation as to what unique situation you will see next. The following morning, the still living at home with her parents and younger sister, Viv is “encouraged” to go with the family to the synagogue to observe the holiday. While there, she is overwhelmed by a song performed by the cantor and begins to sing along in a voice so powerful, it stuns the congregation. After the service, she is approached by the handsome and witty Ash (David Reale) and there is an immediate attraction which is somewhat ruined when Viv learns that he is the Rabbi’s (David Eisner) son who coerces her to being his cantor for a number of upcoming events.

There are innumerable delicious scenes and circumstances that I am loathe to reveal as the pure joy of watching this set in Toronto movie is discovering what will happen next. That said, you haven’t lived until you’ve heard a Disney classic sung to a Judeo-Pop beat (kudos to composer Ari Posner whose work can also now be heard on the TV Shows “Sullivan’s Crossing” and “Ride”) or attend a Tiki-themed Shiva. Furthermore, in the current cinematic landscape where filmmakers feel the need to tell their story in over three hours, Director Daniel Am Rosenberg brilliantly tackles many storylines with finesse in a scant running time of 65 minutes. Bravo!

Don’t let the title LESS THAN KOSHER mislead you…this Movie IS perfect.

Tickets and showtimes here.

THE DELEGATION

Inspired by Director Asaf Saban’s personal history of travelling from Israel to Poland as a teenager to learn about the Jewish suffering there during World War II, THE DELEGATION brings a unique youthful perspective of not only the tragedies that occurred in the concentration camps of Majdanek and Auschwitz and how it affects the teenagers of this high-school mandated trip as they struggle with their own hormonal and growing pains as well.

Frisch, Nitzan and Ido (Yoav Bavly, Neomi Harari and Leib Lev Levin respectively) are the centerpiece of this Movie as a part of the group exploring the forests and graveyards scattered throughout the country, oftentimes wearing oversized white hoodies with the Star of David emblazed in the back and carrying the flag of Israel. Afterwards they are encouraged to talk about what they were feeling by the adult supervisors on the trip as well as listen to Frisch’s grandfather’s (Ezra Dagan) first-hand accounts of how he became a survivor. Left to their own devices after their excursions, these teenagers are rambunctious and looking to party the night away.

Saban nicely maneuvres what could have been overly melodramatic plot lines with dexterity. I was particularly moved by Frisch’s storyline where he eschews going to Auschwitz with the delegation, is picked up by a Polish truckdriver while hitchhiking who, first takes him to his home and have his wife feed the young man and then is taken to the destroyed remnants of an ancient synagogue where he asked, by the many people there, to recite a Jewish prayer. The Director beautifully intersects the effects these youngsters have after seeing the historical atrocities with their own romantic turmoils.

I highly recommend THE DELEGATION for its nuanced and original approach.

 Tickets and showtimes here.

iMORDECAI

Based on true events, first-time Director and Co-Writer Marvin Samel brings the audience an unapologetic love story tribute to his family with iMORDECAI. It also reunites two stars from the classic TV show “Taxi”, both  Oscar nominees, Judd Hirsch and Carol Kane where their combined talents elevate this movie above the schmaltz it could have been. Mordecai (Hirsch) is a retired plumber, pushing 80, when his son Marvin (Sean Astin) finds his dad with a jackhammer in the washroom, wanting to give his wife Fela (Kane) a walk-in shower. Marvin also notices that his dad’s flip phone is held together with electrical tape and takes him to a local (not Apple) store to buy a new iPhone being sold by (not Apple Geniuses) but very friendly and knowledgeable “Einsteins”. Confused that there are no numbers visible on the phone, Mordecai gets lessons on how the iPhone works from Nina (Azia Dinea Hale) and the two develop a strong bond and budding friendship. With this new technology, Mordecai can access a whole new world.

In the interest of full disclosure, had I been reviewing this Movie with my Critic’s hat on, I would have gone on about how there are just one too many coincidences to advance the plot that made my head spin. The Yiddish accents are exaggerated to an embarrassing hilt. Sean Astin and Broadway Superstar Stephanie J. Block are sadly underutilized. But you know what, Bubeleh? I liked it. A lot. Sue me!

I enjoyed that Mordecai’s history during WWII is presented in animation. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Miami with all its colourful and vibrant exterior shots and I was swept away in all its pastel glories. The movie is very amusing but it also delves into some serious issues (Treblinka, Dementia) with genuine pathos. Lastly, I encourage all to the bask in the astonishing performances from Hirsch and Kane as they are truly a masterclass.

THE ACCUSATION

I may not be the most unbiased person to write about THE ACCUSATION as I’ve always been obsessed with French Cinema, as they tend to weave emotionally complex subject matters without fear and with finesse. Furthermore, I am a Courtroom Drama junkie, whether they are movies or television shows as they incline to be riveting and gripping. Director Yvan Attal brings to life a part legal procedure and part portrait of complex characters of all kinds from the social and economic stratosphere.

We first meet Alex Farel (played by Ben Attal, the real-life son of the Director and his Co-Star Charlotte Gainsbourg and grandson to Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg) arriving in Paris from the States, where he studies engineering at Stanford, to attend his father, acclaimed TV Journalist, Jean’s (Pierre Arditi) Legion of Honour induction ceremony. Finding only the housekeeper in his father’s opulent apartment, Alex goes to visit his mother Claire (Gainsbourg), who we quickly learn has separated from Jean and is living with her new boyfriend Adam (Mathieu Kassovitz, best known for his role in “Amelie“). Alex also meets Mila (Suzanne Jouannet), Adam’s 17-year-old daughter, and is encouraged to take her to a party he was attending to reunite with his old, well-to-do high school friends. The following morning Alex is awakened by the police and charged with rape.

THE ACCUSATION is broken into four chapters. The first two concentrate on Alex’s and Mila’s version of what happened, the third brings us into the courtroom, 30 months after the incident and concludes with their respective lawyers’ closing arguments and the jury’s verdict. The fourth chapter also brings us flashbacks on what happened and may have happened that faithful night.

THE ACCUSATION had me spellbound. There are no heroes nor villains but genuinely flawed, contrite, arrogant, and confused individuals. I also appreciated how Yvan Attal manipulates the viewing audience to feel like a member of the jury as we also struggle to ascertain what is truthful or misleading. The performances are exceptional throughout but special attention must be given to Suzanne Jouannet for reasons best kept undisclosed. The 138 minute running time may seem unyielding to some, but I found myself thinking afterwards that a savvy Producer should buy the rights and make a mini-series and flesh-out many supporting characters that have minimal, but truly effective screen time. THE ACCUSATION is an astonishing, adult-themed movie that must be seen.

Tickets and showtimes here.

OUR STORY

Real life husband and wife, Lee Biran and Eliana Tidhar bring charm and complexity to Director Yaron Arazi’s Musical Rom-Com OUR STORY. In it, Biran plays Tal, a successful, high-powered Music Agent working for his mother’s agency. Forced into damage control due to inappropriate behaviour from his popular Artist Shaked (Eden Meiri), it is decided to return to a boarding school situated in a desert miles away from Tel Aviv that the singer attended as a youth for a photo op and positive press clippings.

Thinking he was an intruder, Tal is bonked on the head with a cast iron pan at the office by the school’s music teacher Ori (Tidhar). Ori is an encouraging teacher, insisting her students strive towards greatness despite never performing her own songs in public. Following well established Romantic Comedy conventions, the Movie leads us down a path of very familiar circumstances.

That said, I enjoyed the sweet natured OUR STORY and admit to laughing out loud whenever the school’s Administrator Maayan appeared on-screen. Adi Havshush’s impeccable comedic timing and expressive facial features rock! Whether expounding on her fantasy relationship with Shaked or hoping her culinary originality, which includes spinach and vanilla cupcakes, will land her a spot on a cooking competition show, she is a wonderful comic foil. The desert scenes are filmed sumptuously, the music is pure finger-snapping Pop and the chemistry between the two leads is addictive.

Tickets and showtimes here.

For more on tickets and scheduling at TJFF ’23, click here.

#FIRSTLOOK: 2023 TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP UNVEILED

The Toronto Jewish Film Foundation is proud to announce its 31st Festival, which will be taking place from June 1 – 11, 2023. The Festival program will consist of 77 films/series (including 28 Canadian premieres) from across the globe covering a variety of topics, including The Man in the Basement, which will open the Festival on June 1st, 2023 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema with director Philippe Le Guay in attendance.

The Festival will be taking a hybrid approach, making it more accessible to a wider audience – with certain screenings in person at theatres including Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, Innis Town Hall, and more, in addition to a selection of virtual screenings which can be found at tjff.com.

“In 2020, when the Festival had to go online, I said ‘I hope when this is all over, we won’t forget how important the arts were during our long lonely lockdown days,’” says Helen Zukerman, Artistic Director. “We nurtured our souls by what we saw on our screens. Now TJFF invites you back to the theatre (or your home theatre) as we nurture you once again.”

The Festival will also offer several free events, including:

An Afternoon with Saul Rubinek, where the actor-writer-director will reflect on his career now spanning five decades, with clips highlighting his legacy in film and television.

TJFF Archival Series (available online Canada-wide), honouring the works of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Paul Morrison with the curated series Capturing the British Jewish Experience, and Canadian icon Saul Rubinek with rarities from the CBC archive.

Nina and Friends (available online Canada-wide), Puppeteer Nina Keogh (Today’s Special, Mr. Dressup) offers unique access to the history of children’s television and insight into the contributions of many other Jewish artists to the industry.

Outdoor Screening of Karaoke, Winner of the Jerusalem Film Festival Audience Award, and nominated for 14 Ophir Awards (Israeli Oscars) including Best Film.

OY Canada: A Short Film Programme, a collection of short films showcasing a mix of filmmaking styles, offers a window into the physical and mental spaces that help define today’s Canadian Jewish experience.

“This year has been a stellar one for film selection; there was a lot to choose from.” says Stuart Hands, Director of Programming. “I am excited about the number of new engaging Canadian films in this year’s lineup, in addition to the dozens of moving international films. We are proud to be showcasing stories from all over the world – from Uganda (Shalom Putti) to Ukraine (SHTTL). There’s even a modern-day musical set in Toronto! (Less Than Kosher)”

See below for 10 of the 77 films that will be screening at this year’s Festival (listed in order of screening date):

THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT

(Opening Night Film)

Philippe Le Guay | France

Canadian Premiere

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Idan Haguel | Israel

Canadian Premiere

BURNING OFF THE PAGE

Eli Gorn | Canada

Ontario Premiere

THE DELEGATION

Asaf Saban | Israel / Poland / Germany

Canadian Premiere

LESS THAN KOSHER

Daniel Rosenberg | Canada

World Premiere

QUEEN OF THE DEUCE

Valerie Kontakos | Greece / Canada

SHTTL

Ady Walter | France / Ukraine

Ontario Premiere

A SKINNAMARINK AFTERNOON WITH SHARON LOIS AND BRAM

IMORDECAI

Marvin Samel | United States

Ontario Premiere

VISHNIAC

(Closing Night Film)

Laura Bialis | United States

Canadian Premiere

The full 2023 Festival lineup can be found at tjff.com/tjff2023.

#TJFF22: 2022 TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

The 2022 Toronto Jewish Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and is back in-person and online too! The Festival runs June 9 to June 26, 2022, with many special guests in attendance this year. More here.

Our George Kozera (@PartyG) has had a chance to preview some of this year’s key titles from the Festival including Opening Night Gala PLAN A. Read some of his thoughts and recommendations!

PLAN A

The opening night film of the 30th anniversary of TJFF is the remarkable PLAN A, written and directed by Israeli brothers, Yoav and Doron Paz. Based on a true story, the Movie opens and closes with the question: “What if your whole family was murdered? What would you do?” This thought-provoking query takes the audience on an astonishing journey as to what a group of Holocaust survivors would do.

We first meet Max (played with voracious intensity by August Diehl) return to the home he was forced to leave behind, searching for his wife and young son, only to find a German family living there and claiming it now belongs to them. With a rifle pointed to his head, Max is told “Just because the war is over it doesn’t mean we can’t kill Jews anymore.” At a refugee camp, Max meets Michael (the arresting Michael Aloni) an Israeli officer who alongside other soldiers seek and execute post war Nazi soldiers. At one execution site deep in a dark forest, they meet members of a group calling themselves Nakam, dubbed the “Jewish Avengers”. Led by Abba (Ishai Golan), this crew includes the beautiful Anna (Sylvie Hoeks, so memorable in “Blade Runner 2049”) and they want to do much more than kill Nazis. They plan to poison the water system in Germany, essentially killing six millions Germans…one for every dead Jewish person during the Holocaust.

Despite a somewhat slow Middle Act, PLAN A is a mesmerizing Thriller with astonishing Cinematography and faultless performances. It is powerfully emotional that never really answers the question posed, but it did make me reflect as to what would I do?

JUNE 9, 8:00 PM IN-PERSON HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

ALEGRÍA

Set in the picturesque Spanish town of Melilla, situated on the north coast of Africa where Jews, Christians and Muslims peacefully co-exist, ALEGRÍA showcases issues around faith, family and love from a tantalizing female perspective. Having moved back to Melilla and living in her ancestral home, Alegría eschews any iconography regarding her Jewish upbringing, yet ironically is preparing to host her niece’s upcoming Jewish Orthodox wedding. Alegría is strongly-opinionated, rarely smiles (unless she’s partaking in a joint shared with her Christian BFF) and has a contentious relationship with her daughter living in a kibbutz in Israel, a country Alegría never intends to visit. In sharp contrast, her friend and co-worker Dunia (Sarah Perles), a Muslim, is an effervescent beacon of sunshine and positivity.

In the planning of the wedding, Alegría relives many emotions she kept buried for years, which includes a past relationship with the City’s Rabbi (Leonardo Sbaraglia, sadly under-utilized).

ALEGRÍA is deeply-rooted in its soap opera plots and is at times too dour to fully enjoy, despite strong performances by everyone in the Cast. I just wish the Movie was as exuberant as the Dunia character.

JUNE 12, 2:00 PM IN-PERSON CINEPLEX CINEMAS EMPRESS WALK 2

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

ROCK CAMP

When ROCK CAMP opens with Alice Cooper on-screen saying he’s 68-years-old and is immediately followed by “Rock Stars were harmed in the making of this Film” disclaimer, I just knew I’d be in for a treat!

We quickly learn all we really want to know about David Fishof early in the Movie. He was a Sports Agent, an Entertainment Booker, and the Promoter of The Monkees’ Reunion Tour, followed by Ringo Starr’s All Star Band show (both concerts I had attended, which opened a floodgate of happy memories). It was during the tours with Ringo that Fishof came up with the concept of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, where amateurs can be mentored by Rock legends which would be followed by performing and jamming with them.

ROCK CAMP documents the 23^rd anniversary of the “Camp” being held in Las Vegas and follows four “Campers” living their Rock ‘n’ Roll’ dreams. With interviews from “Counsellors”  that include Roger Daltry (The Who), Nancy Wilson (Heart), the aforementioned Alice Cooper, Lita Ford (The Runaways), Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (Kiss) and extensive archival footages that include Tommy Lee, Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones) and members from Stone Temple Pilots, Black Sabbath and Mötley Crüe to name just a few, ROCK CAMP is loud, raucous and intoxicating.

I suspect everyone has their own Rock ‘n’ Roll fantasy – mine was to be one of the Back-up Singers standing between Rita Coolidge and Claudia Lennear during Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour. If you do have such dreams or just have memories of the days when Rock flooded the airwaves or get goosebumps when you hear the opening bassline of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, ROCK CAMP cannot, should not be missed.

JUNE 14, 7:30 PM IN-PERSON HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

LET IT BE MORNING

Unable to leave the small Arabic village in Israel after attending his younger brother’s wedding as the town is in military lockdown, Sami (Alex Bakri) is unable to return to Jerusalem, where a job plus a mistress awaits. LET IT BE MORNING (Israel’s official submission for Academy Award in 2021) is Director Eran Kolirin’s thoughtful exploration of cultural divisions and personal reflections. Whereas not entirely successful as the Director’s breakout hit, “The Band’s Visit” , this Film’s gentle humour is tinged with genuine pathos with an underlining musicality that is admirable.

With the town under siege, cellphone reception blocked then followed by the electricity being shut down, the self-absorbed Sami is forced to reconnect with the family and close friends he left behind, while trying to keep his superiority complex and condescension under wrap. Bakri gives an exemplary, thoughtful performance that is enhanced by the outstanding supporting performances from Juna Suleiman as his wife and Ehab Elias Salami as his sad sack friend. Enhanced by superior Cinematography and the surprising addition of Sia’s “Chandelier” in its Soundtrack, LET IT BE MORNING is an emotional, thought-provoking film that succinctly addresses Israeli-Palestinian tensions with an Arabic sensibility. It is a commendable and strongly recommended achievement.

JUNE 13, 7:30 PM IN-PERSON HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

WET DOG

Inspired by events in the life of Arye Sharuz Shalicar, WET DOG endeavours to bring a new perspective of the Coming-of-Age cinematic landscape. Having recently moved to Wedding, a Berlin suburb, 16-year-old Soheil (who was born in Iran) appears to have an idyllic life with his loving, supportive family. He befriends some guys playing soccer and almost immediately they are all thick as thieves. One day, wearing the Star of David on a chain around his neck that was gifted to him by his grandmother, Soheil is verbally accosted by racist thugs and decides to hide his faith from his newfound “brothers” – a ragtag group mainly consisting of Turks, Kurds and Palestinian. In a rapid string of events, Soheil must ultimately decide where his loyalties lie.

Despite believable and earnest performance from Doguhan Kabadayi as Soheil and Derya Dilber as his girlfriend Selma, this Movie riddled with credibility issues.

Soheil’s transformation from a typical teen to a Graffiti Artist, then a knife-wielding gang member (the “rumble” sequence between the rival factions was so awkwardly-choreographed, like an amateur production of “West Side Story”) made me question if I missed something in the exposition. Whereas the embracing his Jewish faith made sense after he was arrested for assisting in the robbery of a Jewish Shopkeeper, it slowed the pace and diluted the tone of the Film.

My strongest objection towards WET DOG (the title taken from a racist slur) are the not-so-subtle inferences that anti-Semetic actions taking place in present day Germany, are at the hands of Muslims, which is misconstrued. A Movie that explores racism and religious beliefs should practice better what it preaches.

JUNE 15, 7:30 PM IN-PERSON LEAH POSLUNS THEATRE

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

OUR (ALMOST COMPLETELY TRUE) STORY

If, like me, you’re of a generation that remembers the iconic Polaroid commercials on TV starring James Garner and Mariette Hartley where the chemistry between them was so natural that millions believed they were really married, do I have good news for you! Co-written with her real-life husband (Voice Actor Jerry Sroka), Hartley plays herself in OUR (ALMOST COMPLETELY TRUE) STORY, a genuinely enjoyable romp that explores the lives of Actors of a certain age. Job offers are scarce and when one occurs, not only does Hartley have problems remembering her lines, but she must also compete against friends (Morgan Fairchild and Tess Harper playing themselves in a funny, memorable cameo) to young Filmmakers who have no idea who these “old ladies” are. Resigned to live her life content and quietly, she becomes revitalized by the continued flirtatious advances from Sroka.

This Movie captivated me from the get-go. Liberally peppered with cameos from Bernie Kopell, Peter MacNichol, Don Scardino, Mindy Sterling, Peter Onorati and more either playing themselves or fictional characters, it’s a gentle scathing of the current Hollywood scene. It also beautifully evokes a romance between two people that, on paper, shouldn’t work. Mariette Hartley’s signature comedic delivery is on full display to be savoured and her rarely seen dramatic side is an accomplishment. A wonderful Dramedy, OUR (ALMOST COMPLETELY TRUE) STORY is delicious and worthy of indulgence.

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

DECEPTION

Novels by Philip Roth are notoriously different to transfer cinematically. Dialogue that rings beautifully on the page sound hollow when heard on-screen. When was the last time you heard anyone say “I’ve been capricious”? At the center of DECEPTION are two adulterers that meet regularly at their hiding place. Philip (Denis Podalydes) is an American author living in London and Léa Seydoux (Crimes of the Future, No Time to Die) is his young lover who is trapped in an unhappy marriage. They talk. A lot. They have sex. A lot. Both activities are laborious to watch.

Despite eliciting lovely performances with searing intensity from the two leads, the failure of DECEPTION firmly lies with the choices made by Director Arnaud Desplechin. The tonal shifts, which include bizarre camera shots and angles, are infuriating. There’s a difference between melancholy and miserable and unlikable characters can successfully be adapted to the big screen. I completely lost interest halfway through DECEPTION, sadly.

JUNE 11, 9:15 PM IN-PERSON HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

ROSE

Francoise Fabian (best known for her lead role in the French classic “My Night at Maud’s) plays Rose, recently widowed in her late 70s, who inexplicitly transforms from frumpy to fabulous – much to the chagrin of her three children. While her kids are far from perfect to judge their mother’s newfound exuberance (the devout eldest son is contemplating cheating on his wife, the bitter middle daughter is still in love with her ex-husband, and the youngest son, still living at home, is to be tried for dealing with stolen merchandise), Rose gleefully rediscovers the joy of singing Yiddish folksongs, driving a car as well as having an affair with a significantly younger and handsome bartender. Whereas I enjoyed ROSE due to the nice performances from the Cast that is enhanced with a lively score and enchanting Parisian exteriors, but one has to believe in the premise that someone, steadfastly set in their way, can completely change their life, outlook, and personality after two hits on a joint and a Vodka shot. I had issues buying into it.

JUNE 12, 8:00 PM IN-PERSON CINEPLEX CINEMAS EMPRESS WALK 2

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

A TREE OF LIFE

On October 27, 2018, a white supremacist entered the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, opened fire and killed eleven people in what was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The Documentary A TREE OF LIFE not only proficiently examines the effects of this event with interviews from survivors, family members and friends of the deceased and political experts, this movie is even more poignant now due to the recent slaughter of children at a school in Texas. Director Trish Adlesic (Oscar-nominated for “Gasland”) adroitly presents many differing emotional responses and unique perspectives from those interviewed with compassion, intelligence, and fairness. At once, she squarely places much of the blame and the increase of hate-based crimes to a populate that were emboldened by right-wing American Government officials. One scene in this Movie left me thunderstruck, where a synagogue, no longer in use, was transformed into a shop selling guns and assault rifles.

A TREE OF LIFE affected me profoundly. It is emotionally-draining but it is essential viewing.

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

ONE MORE STORY

When a first date (played by Dina Senderson and Guri Alfi) comically derails within the first few minutes, the attractive middle-aged couple decide to start over again by confessing to each other past events they were not particularly proud of. Yarden (Senderson) starts the tale by recounting how she, a Journalist, struck a deal with her boss-slash-lover Amos (Lior Ashkenazi, so memorable in “Walk on Water”) that she will document a series of disastrous first dates in the search for true love by her best friend and “putz” (comic gold performance from Maayan Blum) in return for getting her book published. All goes according to plan until Blum’s character meets and falls madly in with the beautiful but neurotic Maya, putting Yarden’s plan in jeopardy!

ONE MORE STORY takes an original approach to the ubiquitous Rom-Com conventions. It is fast-paced and exuberant with just enough pathos presented without making it maudlin. Whereas Yarden may come across intimidating and genuinely believes that “Love at first sight is film bullsh*t”, Senderson’s immeasurable timing and abilities cannot be faulted nor dismissed. Watching two romantic plotlines simultaneously is inspiring and I challenge anyone not to leave the theatre after watching ONE MORE STORY without an infectious smile.

JUNE 11, 9:15 PM IN-PERSON CINEPLEX CINEMAS EMPRESS WALK 2

JUNE 16 – JUNE 26 ONLINE TJFF VIRTUAL CINEMA

More here including tickets!

#TJFF: 2022 TJFF SPECIAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED

The 30th edition of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival (TJFF) is celebrating a return to the cinema where it all began at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema with a special “Blue Carpet” Opening Night at the Ontario premiere of PLAN A by the Paz Brothers.  The “Blue Carpet” will be hosted by none other than TJFF’s Artistic Director and co-founder Helen Zukerman.  Two musical highlights include live performances at the ROCK CAMP screening with former Fantasy Rock ‘N’ Roll campers, along with The Mamaliga Klezmer Band’s live musical accompaniment for the recently discovered and restored silent film BROKEN BARRIERS.

Notable local and international guests joining the celebrations in person are: 

• Doron Paz and Yoav Paz (PLAN A);
• Founder Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, David Fishof (ROCK CAMP); 
• Director Julia Mintz (FOUR WINTERS); 
• Director David Hoffert, producers Paul Hoffert, Brenda Hoffert and Jeff Preyra, as well as family of Leo Spellman (THE RHAPSODY); 
• Director Mano Khalil (NEIGHBOURS)
• The Mamaliga Klezmer Band (BROKEN BARRIERS)
• Marilyn Lightstone (Honouring Marilyn Lightstone)

Special Guests & In-Person Events
*Opening Film with a Special “Blue Carpet” Event
PLAN A, dirs. Doron Paz and Yoav Paz (Germany/Israel)
Based on Dina Porat’s book Vengeance and Retribution are Mine, a group of Holocaust survivors seek revenge and plan to kill millions of Germans by poisoning Nuremberg’s water supply. Stars Michael Aloni (Shtisel), Syliva Hoeks (Bladerunner 2049) and August Diehl (Hidden Life).
Guests in attendance: Directors Doron Paz and Yoav Paz.

ROCK CAMP, dirs. Renée Barron and Douglas Blush (United States)
Music fans are given the chance to live out their musical fantasies at the annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas. Campers are mentored by counsellors, including Roger Daltrey, Gene Simmons and Alice Cooper as they prepare for a live performance with their idols.
Guests in attendance: David Fishof, Founder of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Screening followed by performances from Fantasy Rock ‘N’ Roll Canadian campers.

Centrepiece Film – Documentary
*David A. Stein Award Winner
FOUR WINTERS: A STORY OF JEWISH PARTISAN RESISTANCE AND BRAVERY, dir. Julia Mintz (United States)
Four Winters celebrates the 25,000 Jewish partisans who escaped into the forests of Eastern Europe to resist the Nazis, carrying out deadly acts of sabotage, staging ambushes and waging clandestine warfare. Featuring interviews with five of the last surviving partisans, two of whom (Faye Schulman and Sara Ginaite) raised families in Toronto.
Guest in attendance: Director Julia Mintz.

THE RHAPSODY, dir. David Hoffert (Canada)
At 99, late composer Leo Spellman, a Polish-Canadian Holocaust survivor, sets out on a journey toward artistic liberation. Through his journey to bring his lost musical masterpiece to the stage, his tale of survival is revealed through his secret wartime diary read by actor Stephen Fry, animation, and interviews with family and colleagues. The film also showcases the powerful performance of his composition at the Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto at which he was present.
Guests in attendance: Director David Hoffert, producers Paul Hoffert, Brenda Hoffert and Jeff Preyra, as well as family of Leo Spellman.

Closing Film
NEIGHBOURS (Nachbarn), dir. Mano Khalil, (Switzerland/France)
Winner of the Grand Prize at the Mons International Film Festival, the semi-autobiographical story by director Mano Khalil highlights the plight of the Kurdish people through the eyes of a sensitive child. 
Guest in attendance: Director Mano Khalil.

Special Musical Event:

BROKEN BARRIERS (Khavah) dir. Charles E. Davenport
Long thought lost but recently discovered and restored by the National Center for Jewish Film, this 1919 silent film is the first American cinematic adaptation of Sholem Aleichem’s  Tevye stories, famously brought to life in Fiddler on the Roof. This film focuses not on Tevye the milkman, but on daughter Khavah, who falls in love with the gentile boy Fedka.
Live Musical Accompaniment by The Mamaliga Klezmer Band

Free In-Person Canadian Archival Series Events: 

Honouring Marilyn Lightstone
From a working class Jewish family in Montreal, Marilyn Lightstone emerged as one of Canada’s foremost actors. TJFF honours her lengthy career as an actor, writer and producer including the free screening of: FROM ANCIENT EGYPT TO THE HIT PARADE: A MARILYN LIGHTSTONE SCRAPBOOK (1967-2021). This event is part of a larger tribute to Marilyn Lightstone, with 4 additional titles available online to viewers across Canada.
Free Screening at Zoomer Hall, ZoomerPlex
Guest in attendance: Marilyn Lightstone.

Jack + Zero:
A special screening series honouring two performing legends of American theatre, film and television – Jack Gilford and Zero Mostel, including a free outdoor screening of A FUNNY THINGS HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (1966). This event is part of a larger archival series called, Jack + Zero, with 4 additional titles available online to viewers across Canada. 
Free Outdoor Screening at Lipa Green Grounds

TJFF will screen over 70 titles from 16 countries. Films will screen in person from June 9 to 15 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Innis Town Hall, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, and Leah Posluns Theatre, with more films available through the TJFF Virtual Cinema in Ontario from June 16 to June 26. Further in person screenings, including closing night, will also take place June 23-26, 2022.

More here.

#FIRSTLOOK: 2022 TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

The 2022 Toronto Jewish Film Festival is back and now in its 30th edition! This year, the Festival will showcase 70 titles from 16 countries. Films will screen in person from June 9-15, 2022 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Innis Town Hall, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk and Leah Posluns Theatre, with more films available through the TJFF Virtual Cinema in Ontario from June 16–June 26, 2022. Additional in-person screenings include two free Archival Series screenings and the closing film on June 26, 2022. Box office opens May 12, 2022.

Opening Film
PLAN A, dirs. Doron Paz and Yoav Paz (Germany/Israel)
Based on Dina Porat’s book Vengeance and Retribution are Mine, a group of Holocaust survivors seek revenge and plan to kill millions of Germans by poisoning Nuremberg’s water supply. Stars Michael Aloni (Shtisel), Syliva Hoeks (Bladerunner 2049) and August Diehl (Hidden Life).
Guests in attendance: Directors Doron Paz and Yoav Paz

*Micki Moore Award Winner (Best Narrative Feature by a Female Director)
CINEMA SABAYA, dir. Orit Fouks Rotem (Israel)
Jewish, Arab, secular, and devout women in an introductory filmmaking course share their personal video footage with their classmates. In so doing, they are not only confronted with the stark differences in their circumstances, but also elements of connection. 

*David A. Stein Award Winner (Best Documentary)
Centrepiece Film – Documentary
FOUR WINTERS: A STORY OF JEWISH PARTISAN RESISTANCE AND BRAVERY, dir. Julia Mintz (United States)
Four Winters celebrates the 25,000 Jewish partisans who escaped into the forests of Eastern Europe to resist the Nazis, carrying out deadly acts of sabotage, staging ambushes and waging clandestine warfare. Featuring interviews with five of the last surviving partisans, two of whom (Faye Schulman and Sara Ginaite) raised families in Toronto.
Guest in attendance: Director Julia Mintz

Centrepiece Film – Narrative
LET IT BE MORNING (Vayehi Boker), dir. Eran Kolirin (Israel)
Winner of seven Israeli Academy Awards, Let It Be Morning highlights the absurdities of everyday life for Israeli Arabs. Kolirin’s (The Band’s Visit) film is based on Sayed Kashua’s novel about a family that gets trapped by a military blockade in a tiny Arab village in Israel.

Closing Film
NEIGHBOURS (Nachbarn), dir. Mano Khalil, (Switzerland/France)
Winner of the Grand Prize at the Mons International Film Festival, the semi-autobiographical story by director Mano Khalil highlights the plight of the Kurdish people through the eyes of a sensitive child. 
Guest in attendance: Director Mano Khalil

More on the complete programming line and tickets here.

(Photo credit: TJFF)

#FIRSTLOOK: TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 2021 PREVIEW GUIDE

Taking place June 3-13, 2021, the Toronto Jewish Film Festival is back again this year virtually with lots of great selection including Centerpiece Film LUNE, as well as Opening Film SHELTER and Closing Film THE SPECIALS.

Our George Kozera (Twitter: @PartyG) had the joy of previewing some selections from this year’s Festival and shares his thoughts with us on them.

THE UN-WORD

Based on writer/director Leo Khasin’s life growing up Jewish in Berlin, THE UN-WORD explores, brilliantly at that, the sensitive subjects of racism and multiculturalism. What starts off sounding like a set-up of a bad joke – an Iranian, a Palestinian and a Jewish student get into a fight – segues into a movie overflowing with insight, sensitivity and comedy with a balance as profound as the metaphorical scales of justice. When the parents of Max, the Jewish student who bit the ear off the Palestinian who constantly bullied him in and outside of class, attend a hastily scheduled meeting at the school with his teacher, the principal and the superintendent, we can’t help but notice the subtle context of comments made by the adults that could be deemed racist. As THE UN-WORD unfolds and many backstories are revealed, it remains difficult to not be affected by the racial discrimination occurring and misinformation taken for truth. But, in strokes of cinematic genius, Khasin infuses the Movie with comedy so funny, I was consistently laughing out loud which, like Garbo, I rarely do!

In addition to the letter-perfect performances from everyone in the Cast, this movie addresses every elephant in the room with intelligence and perspective. Whereas it is never easy to hear someone say that “The Diary of Anne Frank” is a fictional hoax, it is also infuriating to hear an elderly German person spew “the Arabs are today’s Jews”. It all culminates with a seething dialogue from an adult Iranian woman of all the injustices she experiences daily.

THE UN-WORD will dazzle you. It’s a must-see.

MURANOW

Before World War II, the thriving Warsaw district of Muranow housed over 200,000 Jewish residents and when Germany occupied Poland during the war, it became the Warsaw Ghetto with many of the inhabitants sent to the Treblinka death camp. The Nazis completely destroyed the area with the exception of one building used by the SS and a church where they stored all the treasures they had stolen. After WWII, it was technically impossible to rebuild the neighbourhood without removing three stories of debris, so they built over it, using bricks made of the rubble and human bones. In essence, Muranow exists atop a cemetery.

The Documentary MURANOW is an endlessly fascinating account of the city, its history and, especially, life there now. Many current residents unabashedly believe ghosts still live in the new buildings; one apartment dweller even named his ghostly roommate Rachel. Whereas personally I am highly skeptical of these metaphorical beings, events that occur defy logical explanations. However, this is more than just a Documentary focused on the undead. Many interviews are conducted with a diverse group of people: Scholars, Historians, Artists, Writers, Residents andBusiness Owners are but a few who talk about living in an area with such a tragic history.

MURANOW had me transfixed throughout its concise 70-minute screening time.  Though saddened to see and hear that much of modern-day Poland is still rife with antisemitism and demonstrations that aren’t vastly different from the Trump rallies in recent history, the movie uplifts more than it criticizes. And even though I don’t believe in ghosts and zombies, if I ever meet Rachel, I’ll be on the next Uber to the airport.

TIGER WITHIN

TIGER WITHIN comes with an impressive pedigree. Montreal-born Director Rafal Zielinski’s résumé includes “Fun”, which made a huge impact at Sundance and is one of the best movies you’ve never heard of and Anne Hathaway’s big break occurred when she starred in Screenwriter Gina Wendkos’s “The Princess Diaries”. Add 20-time nominated and winner of 7 Emmy Awards, Ed Asner to the mix and you have a potential “can’t miss” movie.

Wearing her uniform consisting of ripped jeans, excessive black eyeliner, nose rings and a leather jacket with a painted swastika on the back, Casey (Margot Josefsohn) just doesn’t fit in with anyone at school. Life at home with her clueless mother and the violence-prone live-in boyfriend is no better, so all decide she should leave Ohio and live with her estranged father in Los Angeles. Upon arrival, Casey secretly overhears disparaging comments made about her by her new family unit and decides to go it alone in a new city, where she is quickly robbed of everything she owns. When she is found sleeping at a Jewish cemetery by 87 year-old Holocaust survivor Samuel (Asner), he treats her to a meal and a place to stay. TIGER WITHIN is all about the special bond these two lonely characters share.

There is much to admire as TIGER WITHIN unfolds with its tale of friendship between these unlikely people. Whereas the character of Casey can at times be abrasive, Josefsohn is up to task and gives an impressive performance. Asner rarely falters in any role and here, with his decades of acting experience, he beautifully fleshes out Samuel with gentle humour and insight. The strong message of healing, faith and forgiveness is executed flawlessly, but at times TIGER WITHIN feels a tad overwrought and heavy-handed. Minor quibbles aside, this movie shines and will tug at your heart. It is a wonderful escape, and that is why we see movies.

SHELTER

This year’s TJFF Opening Film is the world premiere of director Ron Chapman’s documentary SHELTER. It opens with a number of WW2 survivors talking about the religious persecution and atrocities they experienced in Europe, revealing scars that never fully healed, and with expert use of archival footage, I defy anyone watching not to be emotionally shattered. Once they emigrated to Toronto, it became apparent to many that it was a multicultural city where the newcomers focused on two things: employment and a home. Unable to find work due to the city’s then rampant antisemitism, many Jewish families tapped into their entrepreneurial spirits by first buying then renovating and flipping houses, then by starting construction companies and building high rise apartments, dwellings rarely seen outside of Toronto.

Alongside interviews and archival footage, Chapman also employs recreations of events using actors to further the story. I personally have never been a fan of documentary recreations as I feel they detract and I start to focus on ridiculous details like the haircuts on the men the actors are portraying are more modern-day Ryan Gosling than they are Montgomery Clift. However, the achieve the effect and enhance SHELTER admirably.

I found it fascinating that many of these real estate moguls felt that going into business and potentially into bankruptcy was nothing when compared to what they went through during wartime Europe. Through determination and self-education, in addition to luck and chutzpah, 75% of all rental units in Toronto were conceived and built by Jewish entrepreneurs. What an amazing accomplishment that SHELTER features splendidly

LUNE

Aviva Armour-Ostroff is an established, award-winning Actress and highly respected in the Toronto theatrical community. Not only is she the star of LUNE, she co-directed, co- produced and co-wrote it. She plays Miriam, a single mother to her teenage daughter Eliza (Chloe Van Landschoot). Set in Toronto in 1994, Eliza is preparing her audition to be accepted to a prestigious dance school in Montreal. Miriam, a South African-born Jew, is determined to return to her homeland to partake and vote in the election of the just-freed Nelson Mandela. Miriam is also Bipolar and when she’s on her meds, she is high-functioning, articulate, charming and fascinating to such a degree that Eliza’s boyfriend Mike (Vlad Alexis) is mesmerized by her completely. It is when Miriam is off her medications, as she is throughout most of this Movie’s length, LUNE spirals downwards.

Stage Acting is vastly different from Screen Acting. In theatre, one must effectively project their movements and voice to reach the last row and this describes Armour-Ostroff’s performance. It’s bombastic. It’s over-the-top. It’s twitchy body parts flailing akimbo and a borderline Carol Burnett parody of Norma Desmond, made even more jarring by the subtle naturalistic and genuinely-endearing performances from Van Landschoot and Alexis.

I am utterly convinced that deep in the heart and soul of LUNE, there is a great movie. I only wish it were as brilliantly-executed and emotive as Eliza’s dance composition that interpreted the world of those suffering from Bipolar Disorder with dignity and without melodrama.

ASIA

In the pantheon of memorable movies that feature mother/daughter relationships in the forefront (Terms of Endearment, Postcards from the Edge, Lady Bird and even Freaky Friday), one must add ASIA, the feature debut from Writer/Director Ruthy Pribar, and a winner of three awards at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival, to the list.

Asia (Alena Yiv) recently moved to Jerusalem from Russia where she works as a nurse. In her mid-30s, she has a teenaged daughter Vika (Shira Haas) who, at first glance can be perceived to be rebellious with a contentious relationship with her mother. We quickly learn that Vika has a degenerative motor skills disease that accounts for her sullen nature and tries to undermine the constant overprotection from Asia. Whereas Vika enjoys hanging out with a skateboarding crowd and swig from Vodka bottles with her bestie, what she really wants is a boyfriend before her physical condition worsens. Asia is more gregarious, flirting with bartenders after work and happy in her “Friends with Benefits” relationship with a doctor. As Vika weakens and requires more fulltime attention, Asia asks the handsome, young hospital intern Gabi (Tamir Mula) if he was available to help out.

ASIA excels on multiple levels. The script is concise, intimate and grounded in reality. The performances from Alena Yiv and Shira Haas (who recently won the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress in “Unorthodox”) exceed expectations. Together they achieve greatness with delicacy and strength. Moreover, these exceptional actresses stand back and let the supporting cast shine during their moments. Lastly, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. I strongly suggest you have tissues readily available because ASIA will put you through the wringer. It is an outstanding cinematic achievement.

THE SPECIALS

Inspired by true events, this year’s Closing Film THE SPECIALS (HORS NORMES en français) is a powerful and evocative movie made by two Filmmakers at the top of their game. Bruno (Vincent Cassel) is a Jewish man who runs a government unlicensed shelter that houses and cares for teenaged and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder that have been, sadly, turned away from other institution. Malik (Reda Kateb) is Muslim and his company trains young adults from deprived areas to become caregivers. Though both men have different “management styles – Bruno is always hopefully optimistic whereas Malik can be brutal with group of students – they are equally dedicated and indefatigable. In the skilled hands of the Writers/Directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, a difficult subject matter is presented with grace and humour. Idyllic scenes of the caretakers and their cares at an ice-skating rink or at a horse farm are as potent as ones featuring runaway patients.

The ordinarily intense Vincent Cassel not only shows a softer side in his acting repertoire (who knew he could smile?), it is his best role in years. As much as Bruno excels with those in his care, he is awkward around women and his success rate with “chiddoukh” (blind dates) is pathetically dismal. Reda Kateb (“A Prophet”) radiates power and compassion. As Dylan, the newest recruit to become a caregiver, Bryan Mialourdama impresses. Whereas THE SPECIALS never sugarcoats the obstacles those with autism experience and there are moments that are emotionally strong, it is also uplifting and hopeful.

Much like Toledano and Nakache’s “The Intouchables”, it is impossible not to become affected by what THE SPECIALS so astonishingly presents.

FORGIVENESS

Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon are a popular Israeli Comedy duo and in their second feature film together, FORGIVENESS, (as Writers, Directors and Leads) they explore the Buddy/Caper Action genre. After serving three years in jail for getting caught in a bungled bank heist, Shaul returns home, on the Jewish side of the Gaza Strip, to try refresh his relationship with his wife and teenaged daughter. Met in front of the prison by his criminal conspirator, Nissan, who managed to escape with the money stolen but not get apprehended by the police. Now a Hassidic Jew, Nissan seeks forgiveness from Shaul for the time he spent in jail while they both try to recover the money buried somewhere along the border.

FORGIVENESS is pure, unadulterated 100% Sitcom in set-ups and execution. From gangsters that feel they morally can’t murder anyone during Yom Kippur, to horses having a bowel movement in safe rooms during red alerts, breaking into a vault while stoned on hashish and explosions galore, this Movie tells its story in breakneck speed. The chemistry between Shaul and Nissan is strong and there’s enough relationship drama to not make FORGIVENESS strictly slapstick. Whether the gags land successfully is all up to the viewer.

More on the Festival and how to get tickets here.

(Photo/video credit: TJFF)

#FIRSTLOOK: TJFF2021 PROGRAMMING LINEUP

Streaming virtually Ontario-wide from June 3 to 13, 2021 TJFF2021 offers a curated programme of 60+ films showcasing the best in Jewish-content film from Canada and around the world. Check-out their lineup!

Narrative:

Asia, dir. Ruthy Pribar, Israel
Winner of the Best Film at the Israeli Academy Awards and the Tribeca Film Festival’s Nora Ephron Award, Asia stars Shira Haas (Unorthodox, Shtisel) as a defiant teen coping with a degenerative disorder who has a fraught relationship with her mother.

Forgiveness (Mechila), dirs. Guy Amir & Hanan Savyon, Israel
A caper-buddy comedy by duo Amir & Savyon about two bumbling thieves whose failed attempt to rob a bank lands one of them in jail while the other becomes a Hasidic Jew. Plans go awry when the reformed criminals are reunited.

Here We Are, dir. Nir Bergman, Israel/Italy
Premiered at Cannes and winner of the Jury Prize and Audience Award at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Here We Are captures the poignancy of parenthood through a single father who has devoted his life to raising his autistic son Uri. 

Kiss Me Kosher, dir. Shirel Peleg, Germany/Israel
A love story where cultures clash and families must overcome their religious difference when Shira, an Israeli, and Maria, her non-Jewish, German girlfriend get engaged. All of which is captured on video to full comic effect by Shira’s younger brother for a school project.

Labyrinth of Peace (Frieden), dir.  Mike Schaerer, Israel/Germany
This gripping miniseries reveals the façade of Switzerland’s neutrality after the war and that a family’s future success depends on ignoring or actively colluding with former war criminals. 

*Centrepiece Film
Lune, dirs. Aviva Armour-Ostroff & Arturo Perez Torres, Canada 
Audience Award winner for Narrative Feature at Cinequest 2021, set in 1994 Toronto, a Jewish South African freelance journalist’s strong desire to return to South Africa to vote for the recently-freed Nelson Mandela triggers her bipolar disorder with her mania exploding into a life-altering climax.

The Sign Painter, dir. Viestur Kairish, Latvia/Czech Republic/Lithuania
Ansis, a young sign painter in 1940s Latvia has a simple dream: to be an artist and to marry Zisla, the beautiful daughter of a Jewish merchant but his romantic dream is shattered as the country inches towards totalitarianism. 

*Closing Film
The Specials (Hors normes), dirs. Olivier Nakache & Éric Toledano, France 
Directed by the duo behind The Intouchables and inspired by a true story of two men who join forces to confront systemic neglect and fight for those marginalized by society, the film stars Vincent Cassel (Black Swan, Eastern Promises) and Reda Kateb (Zero Dark Thirty, A Prophet).

A Starry Sky Above a Roman Ghetto, dir. Giulio Base, Italy
A wartime photo of a Jewish child brings young people together on a quest of discovery that reveals life-changing consequences as they uncover the fate of this person in the photo.

Summer of ‘85, dir. François Ozon, France/Belgium
The unparalleled intensity of first-time love is sumptuously rendered in François Ozon’s masterful coming of age tale. When charismatic David rescues Alex from a capsized boat, the two embark on a passionate relationship, fuelled by Alex’s all-consuming love.

Tiger Within, dir. Rafal Zielinski, United States
Holocaust survivor, Samuel (Ed Asner), and Casey, a skinhead teen runaway, develop an unlikely friendship. Despite their traumas and initial mistrust of one another, Casey gives Sam a new purpose, and Sam gives Casey the guidance she needs to start a new life. 

Two, dir. Astar Elkayam, Israel
Initially optimistic about starting a family, Bar and Omer eagerly comb through a catalogue of potential donors and face the insemination process with humour. But when Omer fails to become pregnant, an underlying sense of failure threatens to undermine their relationship.

The Un-Word, dir. Leo Khasin, Germany
After an altercation between an Iranian, a Palestinian and a Jewish student, parents of the three boys are called to the school by their teacher who inadvertently exposes her own misguided assumptions, complete with snacks decorated with Palestinian and Israeli flags. 

Documentary:

The Adventures of Saul Bellow, dir. Asaf Galay, United States
A portrait of Saul Bellow, one of the most acclaimed chroniclers of post-war American Jewish life. Insights from Salman Rushdie, Philip Roth and Martin Amis along with archival footage make this compulsory viewing for Bellow fans.

Alone Together, dirs., Kineret Hay-Gillor & Maya Tiberman, Israel
Winner of the Audience Award at the Docaviv Film Festival, Alone Together is about an everyday hero who works in soup kitchens by day and volunteers at night as a “first hug” with abandoned babies, all the while struggling to create her own family.  

Desert Tested, dir. Avi Weissblei, Israel
The history of the Susita—the car with the fibreglass shell that was designed to create an Israeli automobile industry—and the man behind the car – Yitzhak Shubinsky. A story of corruption, fraud, and suspicious government ties.

High Maintenance, dir. Barak Heymann, Israel/Poland
Israeli icon, Dani Karavan, who, despite creating nearly 100 installations across the world and winning numerous awards, feels dissatisfied. High Maintenance is a portrait of Karavan as an old man, yet still every bit as relevant as he ever was. 

Lebanon – Borders of Blood, dir. Duki Dror, Israel/Germany
Duki Dror (2020 David Stein Award winner for There Are No Lions in Tel Aviv) distills a century of Lebanese history in this comprehensive documentary with an impressive array of interviewees from multiple sides of the geo-political spectrum. 

Leonard Cohen, Portrait of the Artist (Leonard Cohen, portrait intime), dir. Armelle Brusq, France
A must-see for Leonard Cohen fans, this newly-restored 1996 documentary offers a rare view into his time at Mount Baldy Zen Center as a Buddhist and disciple of the Zen Master, Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi. 

Love It Was Not (Ahava Zot Lo Hayta), dir. Maya Sarfaty, Israel/Austria
SS officer Franz Wunsch saved Helena Citron and her sister from certain death in Auschwitz. Thirty years later Helena is faced with an impossible decision when she is called upon as a witness at his war crimes trial. 

Marry Me However, dir. Mordechai Vardi, Israel
The emotional devastation wrought by marrying against one’s sexual orientation for the sake of complying with Orthodox religious obligations is examined through the experience of gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews. 

Mighty Ira, dirs. Chris Maltby, Nico Perrino & Aaron Reese, United States
Ira Glasser, leader of the ACLU for 23 years, took it from a small grassroots operation on the verge of bankruptcy, to the juggernaut it is today. Amid today’s controversies surrounding free speech, racial equality and antisemitism, Glasser’s story is as timely as ever.

Modigliani and His Secrets, dir. Jacques Loeuille, France
Historians and curators explore the myths surrounding artist Amedeo Modigliani by retracing his life from his Sephardic-Jewish upbringing in Venice to life in Bohemian Paris. 

Muranow, dir. Chen Shelach, Israel
Once the heart of Warsaw’s Jewish life, the Polish district of Muranow became the Warsaw ghetto, and was rebuilt after the war on the site of its destruction. Current residents of this green and rehabilitated neighbourhood discuss the spectre of its former residents. 

A Private Death, dir. Marianna Barr, Israel
The improbable love story of a Jaffa-born Orthodox Jew and a Jerusalem-born Christian Arab, which blossomed in 1930s Palestine and continued until the end of their lives. Their relationship provides a unique testimony to life in Jerusalem during the British Mandate. 

Raymone El Bidaoia, dir. Yael Abecassis, Israel
Raymonde – diva, queen, enigma, inspiration, survivor, widow, woman, and mother. Armed with a camera, actress Yael Abecassis captures her mother, legendary voice of Morocco, Raymonde El Bidaoia, as they embark on a journey together.

The Red Scarf, dir. Peter Mostovoy, Israel
In this autobiography, Mostovoy takes us on a journey from his impoverished childhood in the Soviet Union to award-winning Russian filmmaker. Once believing that his art could be free from demands of the regime, he nevertheless became entangled in Soviet-era politics as an “untrustworthy” Jew. 

*Opening Film
Shelter, dir. Ron Chapman, Canada 
Toronto’s standing as one of the world’s most successful multicultural cities in the world is due in no small part to the efforts of a group of entrepreneurial Jewish immigrants. Anticipating the need for affordable, quality rental housing after the post-War immigration boom, these resourceful businessmen were instrumental in shaping the city we know today. 

UnReined, dirs. Naomi Guttman-Bass & Marcia Rock, United States
Nancy Zeitlin challenged familial and societal norms. She became a leading figure in the Israeli equestrian world, but a chance encounter with a horse-loving Palestinian prompted her to establish the first Palestinian equestrian team. 

Winter Journey, dir. Anders Østergaard, Denmark/Germany
Featuring actor Bruno Ganz in his final role, Winter Journey is based on the conversations that American radio host, Martin Goldsmith had with his father, a German Jewish musician. This hybrid documentary combines archival footage and re-enactments to bring his parents’ poignant and painful love story to light.

Archival Programme: Spotlights Carl Reiner, Ted Allan & Joan Micklin Silver

The 2021 Archival Programme will celebrate the beloved work and prolific career of the late Carl Reiner, by showcasing his television work, including Your Show of Shows and The Dick Van Dyke Show as well as the forgotten gem Flannery and Quilt, a comedy pilot created by Reiner and Marty Feldman (Young Frankenstein). 

TJFF is also honouring one of Canada’s most distinctive writing talents and raconteurs, Ted Allan, with screenings of the Canadian classic Lies My Father Told Me and the CBC teleplay Love on the Nose, starring Saul Rubinek, Marilyn Lightstone, Maury Chaykin, and Eugene Levy. Also, for newcomers to Allan’s life and career, TJFF is screening Ted Allan: Minstrel Boy of the 20th Century.

To commemorate the recent passing of ground-breaking director Joan Micklin Silver (Hester Street), TJFF is hosting a special screening of the romantic comedy, Crossing Delancey. 

Short Films:

For a complete list of short films in the TJFF programme, click here.

Films will be available to view Ontario-wide for 48 hours and many of the films will have live zoom Q&As with directors, cast and documentary subjects. Information on the complete schedule of special events, including Q&As, will be announced on May 12, 2021 when the box office opens. For more information, visit www.tjff.com.