Join us at BYBS, 7:00 pm, for 5 weeks of Jewish films and facilitated discussions.
May 24 The Testament – A committed historian leading a significant debate against Holocaust deniers discovers surprising information with regards to the identity of his own mother. A mystery about a man willing to risk all to discover the truth. 2018, 96 min., Eng., Ger., Heb., Yid., with subtitles (Followed by facilitated discussion)
May 31 Shelter – Two women, trapped in a safe house where nothing is safe and no one can be trusted are at the core of SHELTER, a modern day take on a John LeCarre spy thriller. Shelter is based on “The Link”, a short story by the late Shulamit Hareven, and is masterfully directed by Eran Riklis, one of Israel’s most acclaimed filmmakers. In this cinematic game of deception, beliefs are questioned and interesting choices must be made. Fate turns in surprising ways in this suspense – laden, elegant neo-noir experience. 2017, 93 min., Heb. & Arabic with English subtitles (Followed by facilitated discussion with Suzanne Patterson, film critic)
June 14 The Wedding Plan – Michal is a 32 year old Orthodox woman and bride-to-be. When her fiancé announces that he no longer wishes to marry her, Michal insists on continuing with her wedding plans, placing her faith in God to produce her bashert in time for the occasion. This film is the recipient of two Ophir Awards, for Best Actress (Noa Koler) and Best Screenplay. 2016, 110 min., Hebrew with English subtitles. (Followed by facilitated discussion with Suzanne Patterson, film critic)
June 21 The Exception – In his film debut, Tony-nominated theater director David Leveaux assembles an all-star cast for this WWII period piece about a German soldier who must make the ultimate choice between honoring his country and following his heart. Nazi captain Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney) is sent on a mission to the palatial estate of exiled German Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II (Christopher Plummer). Searching for a suspected British spy lurking among the staff, Brandt finds himself drawn into a clandestine romance with one of the Kaiser’s chambermaids, Mieke (Lily James), who harbors a secret identity. When the head of the SS arrives for an unexpected visit, Brandt is forced to decide where his loyalties truly lie. Recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, The Exception is adapted from Alan Judd ’s best-selling novel The Kaiser’s Last Kiss. This film contains sexuality, graphic nudity, adult language and brief violence. 2017, 101 minutes,
English (Followed by facilitated discussion with Suzanne Patterson, film critic)
June 28 1945 – Based on the acclaimed short story “Homecoming” by Gábor T. Szántó. On a summer day in 1945, an Orthodox man and his grown son return to a village in Hungary while the villagers prepare for the wedding of the town clerk’s son. The townspeople – suspicious, remorseful, fearful, and cunning – expect the worst and behave accordingly. The town clerk fears the men may be heirs of the village’s deported Jews and expects them to demand their illegally acquired property back. (Followed by facilitated discussion with Suzanne Patterson, film critic)
Director Ferenc Török paints a complex picture of a society trying to come to terms with the recent horrors they ’ve experienced, perpetrated, or just tolerated for personal gain. A superb ensemble cast, lustrous black and white cinematography, and historically detailed art direction contribute to an eloquent drama that reiterates Thomas Wolfe ’s famed sentiment: you can’t go home again. 2017, 91 min., Hungarian with English subtitles (Followed by facilitated discussion with Suzanne Patterson, film critic)
The program is free and open to the public.
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