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!
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
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
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 23rd 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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