Virtual screening

Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes

His beauty, intelligence, and of course, color of his eyes, followed Paul Newman throughout his life. Annoyed by incessant references to his physique, the actor consistently challenged Hollywood, taking on serious roles in political and civic discourse. Paul Newman played in over 60 films, working with some of the most iconic directors in history; his career as director, reflects the diversity and richness of his artistic vision. Modest, shy, and determined to protect his own privacy, Newman often used humor to distance himself from the media frenzy and exercise freedom of thought.

Runtime:  52 minutes

Director: Pierre-François Gaudry

Contains brief nudity

Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes, trailer.

Taking Steps

Stav, newly married, is about to fly abroad with her husband for the mountain trek of his dreams. When she breaks her foot a week before they are due to leave, the couple must settle for a much less glamorous trip. But for Stav at least, it”s a journey that will allow her to examine for the first time ever, her needs and desires within the relationship.

Length:  22 minutes

Cast: Yarden Endevelt

Director: Liel Sharon Gur

Writer: Liel Sharon Gur

Presented with the support of:

Introduction from director Liel Sharon Gur.
Taking Steps trailer.

The Chop

The Chop tells the story of Yossi, a charismatic Kosher butcher who finds himself in a moment of crisis upon losing his job. After ringing around numerous other kosher butchers to no avail, he takes the unusual decision to work in a halal butcher. However, to do so, he must use all his guile and charisma to hide his true identity. It is a story that aims to explore the relationship between Jewish and Muslim culture in modern London life, incorporating ”fish out of water” humor with moments of laugh-out-loud slapstick.

Length: 17 minutes

Cast: Amir Boutrous, Andy Linden, Daniel Kramer, Sajid Varada, Waj AMir, Waleed Akthar, Taryn Kay, Andrea Miller, Laila Alj, Grahame Rose, Tamir Haziza

Director: Lewis Rose

Writer: Lewis Rose

The Chop trailer.

The Angel of History

A border in Europe. A painting by Paul Klee. A poem by Walter Benjamin. A film about borders, escape and migration. About yesterday and today, and how difficult it is to recognize one behind the other.

Length: 10 minutes

Director: Eric Esser

Writer: Eric Esser

The Angel of History trailer

L’Inspection (The Inspection)

Julia, an experienced history teacher in a rather quiet high school, faces a school inspector. He wants to talk to her. But what about, exactly? Her heated debates with the principal? The freedom she takes with the school program? Or the way she teaches the Shoah?

Length:  16 minutes

Director: Caroline Brami and Frédéric Bas

This event is supported, in part, by:

Introduction from directors Caroline Brami and Frédéric Bas.

Majesty and Tenderness: The Art of Maurice Schmidt

Majesty and Tenderness: The Art of Maurice Schmidt is a rare glimpse into the genius of a very unusual Texas artist who finds the majesty of beauty in everything. His artistic vision of over seventy prolific years, peers through a unique lens of Judaism, claiming that over decades of study, he has become “one with the Torah”. As an articulate academician, Maurice Schmidt candidly describes how his spiritual interpretations become a congruent mastery of beautiful craftsmanship and pure visceral expression that plays out seamlessly through his powerfully dynamic portrayals of daily life, agricultural landscapes and religious subjects.

Length: 28 minutes

Director: Vanessa Reiser

Introduction from producer Ben Livingston and director Vanessa Reiser.
Majesty and Tenderness: The Art of Maurice Schmidt trailer.

A Common Goal (online)

Almost half the players on the Israeli National Soccer Team are Muslim, including the captain. The team’s diverse group of players causes controversy, especially during an important European tournament, most of it provoked by racist fans and the media. The players have their loyalty questioned by all sides while trying to guide Israel’s national team through the year’s biggest international challenge.

Adult language.

Length: 52 minutes

Director: Shuki Guzik

Writer: Shai Lahav

Here We Are (online)

Aharon has devoted his life to raising his son Uri. They live together in a gentle routine, away from the real world. But Uri is autistic, and now as a young adult it might be time for him to live in a specialized home. While on their way to the institution, Aharon decides to run away with his son and hits the road, knowing that Uri is not ready for this separation. Or is it, in fact, his father who is not ready?

Brief nudity.

Length: 92 minutes

Cast: Shai Avivi

Director: Nir Bergman

Writer: Dana Idisis

Space Torah

In 1996, NASA astronaut Dr. Jeff Hoffman brought a small Torah scroll on board Space Shuttle Columbia. On Shabbat, while orbiting Earth, he read from the book of Genesis, “In the beginning God created heaven and the earth.” This is a story about inspiration, communities, and a man’s journey. A story of how family, educators, scientific and religious communities achieve great things and bring our identity to new realms.

Length: 25 minutes

Director: Rob Cooper

Introduction from producer Rachel Raz
Space Torah trailer.

For more information about this project, see spacetorahproject.com 

Film made by Verissima Productions.

Tale of Life

At the beginning of the 20th century, an epidemic decimated the dwellers of a small Jewish village. Their healer, Absalom, cannot do anything about it, science is at a cul-de-sac. When the half-orphaned Rifka also catches the disease, the villagers suddenly feel they have to do something for the child and for themselves. They turn towards faith and God for help. Can faith help? Is it possible to deviate from dogmas, and bargain with the Creator, and is the Creator willing to bargain with them?
Brief nudity.

Length: 17 minutes

Cast: Dorka Merenyi, Mari Nagy, György Gazsó, Péter Scherer, Gábor Krausz, Kata Kuna

Director: David Bodrogi

Writer: David Bodrogi

Introduction by director David Bodrogi.
Tale of Life trailer.