NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – A hit Israeli television series,
profiles of Jewish authors, a spy thriller set in communist Poland, quests for
family roots and identity, snapshots of Israeli society, and a priest’s
discovery of his Jewish roots.
These are
among highlights of the 12th annual Rutgers Jewish Film Festival,
which brings to New Jersey 15 diverse, critically acclaimed international
productions, as well as discussions with film directors and scholars.
Held October
27 through November 8, the screenings and special events take place at the
Regal Cinema Commerce Center, 2399 Route 1 South, in North Brunswick. Sponsored
by Rutgers’ Allen and Joan
Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life and made possible by the Karma
Foundation, the festival includes seven New Jersey debuts and one U.S.
premiere.
Opening night features the
New Jersey premiere of the 2010 award-winning Israeli drama Gei Oni, “Valley of Fortitude,” preceded
by an opening night buffet dinner and dessert reception for patrons of the
festival. Dan Wolman, the film’s director, will speak after the screening.
The movie, which won the 2011
Gerhard-Kleine prize for the best Israeli feature film at the Berlin Jewish
Film festival, weaves a love story through the saga of the late 19th century
dream of rebuilding a Jewish homeland.
Closing night features the
Israeli documentary Torn and a guest appearance by the film’s
director, Ronit Kertsner. The movie explores the question: Can one be a
Catholic priest and an observant Jew at the same time?
On October 30, Dressing America: Tales from the Garment
Center will have its United States debut at the festival, followed by a panel
discussion with the film’s director, Joel Sucher, and others featured in the
film.
American viewers will get a
look at a hit Israeli television show on October 30 and Nov. 6. Srugim, billed as Israel’s Friends, follows the lives of single
30-somethings in Jerusalem.
Poet and human rights
activist Marjorie Agosin joins the festival on November 6 for the New Jersey
premiere of the Chilean film My Life with Carlos. On
October 30 and November 5, the docudrama Eichmann’s End: Love, Betrayal, Death, set in Argentina and
sponsored by David and Sylvia Steiner, will feature a discussion with Professor
Jeffrey Shandler of the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers after the
screening.
Advance ticket purchase is
strongly recommended. Film tickets are $6 to $12 and are available online, by
mail, at the Bildner Center, and at Trio Gifts, 246 Raritan Ave., Highland Park. Ticket information is available from
jewishstudies.rutgers.edu or by calling the Bildner Center
at 732-932-4166. Check
jewishstudies.rutgers.edu for film updates and ticket availability.
The Allen and Joan Bildner
Center for the Study of
Jewish Life connects the university with the community through public lectures,
symposia, Jewish communal initiatives, cultural events, and teacher training.
Media Contact: Fredda Sacharow
732-932-7084 Ext. 610
E-mail: fsacharo@rci.rutgers.edu
