Virtual screening

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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The New Jew

AJFF Festival and Combo passes include participation in this event.   To watch online, go to virtual.goelevent.com and login with the same email and password you used to buy your ticket/pass/membership.

All four episodes are available to watch from November 2 – November 11 in Texas only.

 

Ever wonder how Israelis perceive us American Jews? The New Jew is a four-episode Israeli TV docu-series, showcasing the cultural and political influence of the Jewish community in the United States, the variety of alternative models it offers for living a rich Jewish life, and the intricate relations between American Jews and the State of Israel. The show is presented by Guri Alfi, one of Israel’s most popular comedians—and was produced for the Public Broadcasting Corporation in Israel.

Cast: Guri Alfi, Moshe Samuels

Guri Alfi – Host and Creator of the Series

Guri is one of the most well-known television personalities in Israel. He is an Israeli actor, director, and comedian who has starred in numerous comedy and dramatic series, and films. He was nominated for the Ophir Award for his role in Human Resources Manager and granted the Israeli Theatre Award for Play It Again, Sam. Guri is known for his role in the political-satirical show State of the Nation and host of the late-night shows Tonight with Guri Alfi and Tonight with Guri and Lucy, both winners of the Israeli Academy Awards for television for best entertainment program. In the past year Guri has starred in two acclaimed dramas—The Cook and Blackspace, and in the poignant satirical series Transparent.

Asaf Nawi – Producer and Creator 

Founder of NawiPro Ltd., Asaf has many years of experience in the television and film industry. Before founding his own company, Assaf led productions as a line producer in series such as Kidnapped and My Successful Sisters, as well as large American productions filmed in Israel such as Homeland and Dig. His television productions include: Tonight with Guri Alfi (3 Seasons), Night Club (Season 6), and Conan O’Brien’s Journey to Israel in 2017. For cinema, he produced the documentary Between the Walls, and his film One More Story is expected to be released in 2021.

Additional support from:

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Out of Play

Bar (12), a longtime member of the boys group and the class”s soccer team, dominates the field more than ever and scores the winning goal at her school’s semi-final soccer tournament. So when the team’s captain announces opening the fixed line -up for voting, she isn”t worried. Following their first sex education class, Bar senses a change in the group and feels the need to ensure her getting enough votes until the end of the school day. While going from one friend to another, having a hard time getting what she wishes for, she starts to realize that a deeper issue is at stake.

Adult language.

Length:  20 minutes

Cast: Talma Tal, Netanel Bondi, Ori Sardam, Ori Assraf Shimon, Roi Chaluya, Dolev Ashurov, Jonathan Burg, Noam Marom, Yam Teper, Itai Abayan, Ofek Peretz, Zohar Shitrit, Tsafi (Tsafra) Shimoni, Anna Anat Gofman Banai

Director: Romi Menachem

Writer: Romi Menachem

Introduction from director Romi Menachem.
Out of Play trailer.

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E=MC3

In this surrealist dreamscape based on actual events, E=MC³‘ is Victor Stabin’s animated tale of Albert Einstein’s invention and patenting of the perpetual motion refrigerator that brings peace to the Middle East. The animation combines fantastic imagery with tongue-in-cheek storytelling and plenty of schtick.

Length: 12 minutes

Cast: Dave Davies, Richard Hake

Director: Victor Stabin

Introduction by director Victor Stabin.

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Pops

How would you react if your father”s last wish was a little bit out there? For siblings Roz and Elli, it becomes a battleground for who will determine their pop”s final journey. Pops is a Jewish comedy drama about family, religion and how we choose to honor a life well-lived.

Length: 19 minutes

Cast: Samantha Spiro, Nigel Lindsay

Director: Lewis Rose

Writer: Lewis Rose

The event is supported, in part by:

Pops trailer.

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40 Chess Boards

In Argentina in 1939, while the World Chess Championship was taking place, breaking news shocked the participants: Germany had invaded Poland and World War II had erupted. Many great masters were stranded away from their home countries, and began to organize exhibitions in order to make their living. One of them searched for something else.

Length: 18 minutes

Cast: Juan Nemirovsky, Jorge De la Rosa, Cristian Marchesi

Director: Alfonso Gastiaburo

Writer: Alfonso Gastiaburo

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