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January 21, 2000/7 Shevat 5760, Vol. 52, No.20
Jewish themes cornerstone of growing film festival
SALVATORE CAPUTO
Special to Jewish News
The Phoenix Jewish Film Festival continues to grow as a community event. In its fourth year, eight Jewish congregations and organizations are co-sponsoring the festival, which will run Feb. 6-10.
The format has expanded from last year. Five movies will still be shown, but three matinees have been added to the five evening shows. The festival has changed venue, in hopes of making it more centrally located for patrons, to the AMC Esplanade Theater, 2515 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. In addition, the festival is being underwritten for the first time, by Lund Cadillac and Chompie's.
The original inspiration for the festival came to Sheldon and Phyllis Pierson of Scottsdale when they were vacationing in Los Angeles years ago. "We went to a film festival there in Los Angeles, and we thought, 'There has to be a Phoenix festival.' Phoenix was big enough to do it," Sheldon Pierson said.
The Piersons ran their idea by their rabbi, William Berk of Temple Chai. "He thought it would be great to help build a sense of community," Pierson said.
So in 1996, the festival began - supported by Temple Chai and Beth El Congregation - with four, generally older, Jewish films. Now, the selections are all just a few years old.
Film selection for the festival begins with a single consideration, whether the movie has a Jewish theme, said Jules Rossman, a festival spokesman. Tips on what films to show come from many sources - such as other festivals, catalogues and word of mouth.
"As long as it deals with a Jewish theme, it can come from anywhere. We've had films from Israel, Germany, and all over," said Rossman.
Even Hollywood?
"Certainly. Movies by Woody Allen and Steven Spielberg have had Jewish themes," Rossman said. Then, with a touch of wistfulness, he added, "Cost is a determining factor, too. Those big-name films cost a fortune."
So the festival has focused primarily on films "you wouldn't find on (mainstream) theater screens, for the most part." Thus, it gives the community a chance to see Jewish films that would not normally come to Phoenix.
This year's offerings are:
"The Harmonists," an R-rated 1997 German film with English subtitles, that makes the story of the Comedian Harmonists, a popular singing sextet of prewar Germany, come to life. The film follows the group's rise to stardom, conflicts and its forced demise as Hitler's rise to power affects the group's Jewish members. (Strong language, brief nudity.) It will be shown at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6. Fred Linch, local film lecturer, will lead the post-movie discussion session.
"The 92 Minutes of Mr. Baum," a 1997 Israeli-French production in Hebrew with English subtitles, tells the story of what Mr. Baum does when he's told he has only 92 minutes to live. (Some frontal nudity.) It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7. Post-movie discussion will be led by Shmulik Lahar, Israel representative of the Phoenix Jewish Federation.
"Max and the Kid," a 1998 U.S. film, is about a senior citizen who runs away from his retirement home to find the car of his youth. He meets up with a 17-year-old girl, who agrees to drive him cross-country on his quest. (No sex, little violence.) It will be shown at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8. The post-movie session will be led by a special guest, David Campbell, the writer, director and producer of "Max and the Kid."
"Hannah," an Austrian film with English subtitles, about an anti-establishment woman who discovers a growing Nazi movement based in her new employer's company. The political thriller runs through a series of killings and hate crimes before it reaches its climax. (Some nudity, love-making.) It will be shown at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. David Ira Goldstein, artistic director of the Arizona Theater Company, will lead the post-movie discussion.
"Family Secrets," an Israeli film with English subtitles, is the story of two cousins, who in adulthood re-examine the summer they fell in love and a nightmare that scarred them. (Sexual overtones.) It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. Post-movie discussion will be led by Shmulik Lahar.
Tickets are $7.50 per show, $5 for students, and five tickets can be purchased for $35. For tickets, contact the participating organizations: Temple Chai, Har Zion Congregation, Temple Solel, the Tri-City Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth Israel, Beth El Congregation, the Israel Office of the Phoenix Jewish Federation, Ruach Hamidbar, Temple Emanuel and Temple Kol Ami.
For mail-order information, call the federation at 602-274-1800, ext. 112.
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