The offerings at this year’s Jewish Film Festival will include films never before screened in the region and state.
Milwaukee’s annual festival will present the Midwest premier of “Taking Sides,” a feature film in general release on the coasts. “Shalom Ireland, a one-hour documentary about the Jews of Ireland, will make its Wisconsin premier.
The festival will also include a range of international films, some by independent filmmakers and some released through major studios, said Cindy Benjamin, Jewish arts and culture coordinator at the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC, the festival’s prime sponsor.
The diverse offerings are part of the festival’s mission to “bring visions of Jewish life from around the world” to Milwaukee, said Benjamin.
The feature film, “Taking Sides,” is a dramatization of the historical “de-Nazification” of great German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954), who did not join the Nazi Party and tried to protect Jewish musicians. However, he stayed in Germany during the Nazi era and performed at Nazi Party functions, controversial actions that raise questions about the relationship of art and morality.
The controversial Israeli film “Yossi and Jagger,” which explores the true story of a love affair between two male soldiers serving in Lebanon, will also be screened. It was reviewed in the Sept. 5 Chronicle.
“Sid at 90,” a documentary about actor/comedian Sid Raymond, has a local connection; its director, Howard Weinberg, once lived here and still has many friends here, Benjamin said.
The full schedule of the five-day festival is:
Sunday, Oct. 19: “Divided We Fall,” a Czech feature film that displays a cross section of Europe during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia.
Monday, Oct. 20: “Jazzman from the Gulag,” an award-winning documentary about Polish-born Jewish jazz musician Eddie Rosner; and “Shalom Ireland,” which will include a talkback with Dr. Gary S. Cohen and Prof. Tim Crain.
Tuesday, Oct. 21: “Taking Sides.”
Wednesday, Oct. 22: Two Israeli hour-long love stories, “The Postwoman” and “Yossi and Jagger”. “The Postwoman” is presented in cooperation with the Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Consulate General of the Midwest. “Yossi and Jagger” is screened in cooperation with the LGBT Film Festival. Its content is suggested for mature audiences.
Thursday, Oct. 23: Two documentaries focus on American show business: “Sid at 90” and “Schmelvis: Searching for the King’s Jewish Roots,” which explores the idea that rock great Elvis Presley had Jewish lineage.
All screenings will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Marcus North Shore Cinema, 11700 N. Port Washington Rd. General admission for individual screenings is $9, $7 for students and seniors. A five-movie pass is $40, $30 for students and seniors.
For more information, call 414-967-8233. For tickets, call 414-967-8227.
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