Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival Program

Present Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival 2018

May 22–June 10

More than 30 Screenings Film Crawl Juried Awards Talk Backs Visiting Directors Off-site Films Opening & Closing Night Receptions Morley Blankstein Architecture Film Series

Sammy Davis Jr: I’ve Gotta Be Me Big Sonia Keep The Change

The Wedding Plan Maktub A Quiet Heart And Much More!

Tickets: radyjcc.com | 204-477-7510 Berney Theatre | Rady Jewish Community Centre | 123 Doncaster Street Opening Night Film & Reception: Itzhak Tuesday, May 22, 7:00 pm Talk Back with James Manishen, Artistic Operations Associate of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival Winnipeg International SPECIAL EVENTS

See page 8

First Ever Shorts on Sherbrook Film Crawl Tuesday, June 5, 8:15 pm See page 19

The Tallest Poppy

The Handsome Daughter

Venues All films and events are held at Berney Theatre Rady Jewish Community Centre - 123 Doncaster St Except for Shorts on Sherbrook Film Crawl: Handsome Daughter - 61 Sherbrook Ave The Tallest Poppy - 685 Westminister Ave Purchase Your Tickets at: radyjcc.com | 204-477-7510 Morley Blankstein Centrepiece Film & Reception: Architectural Film Series: Heading Home: The Moshe Safdie: Tale of Team Israel The Power of Wednesday, May 30, 7:00 pm Architecture Josh Zeid, former professional Monday, May 28, 7:30 pm baseball player, in conversation See page 13 with Rabbi Matthew Leibl See page 7

Spotlight Film & Reception: Closing Night Film & Reception: Nana The Testament Wednesday, June 6, 7:00 pm Sunday, June 10, 7:00 pm Director Serena Dykman speaking Guest speaker: with writer Holly Harris Director Amichai Greenberg See page 15 See page 18

Tickets 5 Pack 10 Pack Festival Pass Individual Tickets: M Member $43 M $78 M Access to 21 Films! $9.50 M NM Non-member $52 NM $100 NM $170 M $11.50 NM $36 S $70 S $205 NM Venues S Student $8 S All films and events are held at Berney Theatre Rady Jewish Community Centre - 123 Doncaster St All Tickets: Prices include GST | No refunds or exchanges | Rush seating Except for Shorts on Sherbrook Film Crawl: 5 and 10 Packs: Tickets must be selected in advance upon purchase | Excludes Film Crawl on June 5 Handsome Daughter - 61 Sherbrook Ave Festival Pass: Pass holders must arrive minimum 15 minutes before start time to ensure seating | The Tallest Poppy - 685 Westminister Ave Limited tickets available | Excludes Film Crawl on June 5 Purchase Your Tickets at: radyjcc.com | 204-477-7510 An Act of Defiance Big Sonia Friday, June 8 | 5:00 pm Sunday, May 27 | 2:00 pm Monday, June 4 | 1:00 pm

South Africa/Netherlands | 2017 | USA | 2017 | English | Directors: English, Afrikaans with English subtitles | Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday | Director: Jean van de Velde | Historical Documentary/Family Relations | 93 minutes Narrative | 124 minutes In the last store in a defunct shopping In this riveting historical drama, 10 mall, 91-year-old Sonia Warshawski; political activists (including Nelson great-grandmother, businesswoman, Mandela and his inner circle of Black and Holocaust survivor – runs the tailor and Jewish supporters) face a possible shop she’s owned for more than 30 death sentence for conspiracy to commit years. But when she’s served an eviction sabotage after they are arrested by the notice, the specter of retirement apartheid South African government prompts Sonia to further resist her during a raid in the town of Rivonia harrowing past as a refugee and in the summer of 1963. Bram Fischer, witness to genocide. A poignant story a sympathetic lawyer, risks his career of generational trauma and healing, and freedom to defend these men, Big Sonia also offers a laugh-out-loud- attempting to hide the fact that he, too, funny portrait of the power of love to frequently convened on the farm where triumph over bigotry, and the power of they were arrested. truth-telling to heal us all.

Cape Town & Winelands International Film Barcelona International Film Festival, Winner Festival, Best Screenplay, 2017 Grand Jury Prize - Best Documentary, 2017

Viewers of An Act of Defiance will want to visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ new exhibit Mandela: Struggle For Freedom in collaboration with South Africa’s Apartheid Museum, opening June 8.

Talk Back Moderated by Méira Cook Méira was born in Johannesburg and is an award-winning poet, novelist, and literary critic. Bombshell: The Bye Bye Germany Hedy Lamarr Story Es war einmal in Deutschland Friday, May 25 | 5:00 pm Thursday, June 7 | 7:30 pm

USA | 2017 | English | Director: Alexandra Germany/Luxembourg/Belgium | 2017 | Dean | Documentary | 90 minutes German with English subtitles | Director: Sean Garbarski | Comedy/Drama | In the Golden Days of Hollywood 102 minutes Hedy Lamarr was screen gold. Her The end of WWII finds suave smooth- extraordinary beauty was her calling talking entrepreneur David Bermann card. But what hardly anyone knew was recruiting fellow Holocaust survivors that the Austrian Lamarr (neé Hedwig to sell overpriced “luxury” linens to Kiesler) born to wealthy cultured guilt-ridden Germans. Mixing madcap assimilated Jews, was a scientist who adventures with searing post-war spent time off set inventing. While examinations, this bittersweet movie World War II was raging in Europe, is about grappling with a painful past Lamarr and composer George Antheil while rediscovering life’s pleasures. developed a radio guidance system Based on co-screenwriter Michel for Allied torpedoes using frequency- Bergmann’s debut novel The Traveling hopping technology to defeat the Salesmen, and his own, often funny, threat of jamming by the Axis powers. family history of Jews left behind in Her inventions were the forerunner of Germany after the war. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This fascinating Norwegian International Film Festival, documentary includes interviews about Audience Award Winner, Best Film, 2017 how Lamarr struggled to overcome a one-dimensional reputation and make people get past her face.

New York Film Critics, Best Documentary, 2017

May 22 - June 10, 2018 5 The Cakemaker The Invisibles HaOfe MeBerlin Die Unischtbaren Tuesday, May 29 | 1:00 pm Friday, June 1 | 5:00 pm Sunday, June 3 | 4:00 pm

Germany/Israel | 2017 | English, Germany | 2017 | German with English German, Hebrew with English subtitles | subtitles | Director: Claus Rafle| Director: Ophir Raul Grazier | Historical Drama | 110 minutes Narrative Drama | 104 minutes June 1943, and the Third Reich During one of his many business trips infamously declares Berlin judenfrei – to Berlin, Israeli Oren visits a café and free of Jews. But at that moment, there falls instantly in love – both with its are 7,000 Jews still living there – hiding cakes and with Thomas, the baker who in attics, basements and warehouses, makes them. The two start a secret with some of them protected by affair, which ends abruptly when courageous Berliners. This innovative, Oren dies in a car crash in Jerusalem. “hybrid” film interweaves dramatic Grief-stricken, Thomas travels to re-enactments with actual testimony Jerusalem, and starts working at a local to bring edge-of-the-seat suspense to café, owned by Oren’s widow Anat, the screen to tell the story of four of who is oblivious to the real reason these young men and women trying that brought Thomas to her. As their to remain “invisible” in Berlin by using relationship deepens, pressure from their own ingenuity to stay alive, while Oren’s religious family rises for Anat. also helping in the fight to bring the Winner Best Director, Jerusalem Film Nazis down. Festival, 2017 Winner Best US Narrative Feature; Best New Narrative Director, Tribeca Film Festival, 2017

6 Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel Centrepiece Film & Reception Wednesday, May 30 | 7:00 pm

Josh Zeid, former American Professional baseball player will be in attendance. Josh was pitcher for Team Israel. Moderated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, former broadcaster of TSN 1290 Radio.

Israel’s baseball team was the players hadn’t had much exposure underdog of underdogs when they to Judaism, let alone been to Israel. made it to the finals of the 2017 World Heading Home follows the players on Baseball Championships in Korea. their first trip to Israel, and hopefully With a lineup that features Jewish Israel’s first baseball championship. American Major League ballplayers While throwing curve balls, turning like ex-New York Mets first baseman double plays, and stealing home Ike Davis, ex-Houston Astro Josh Zeid, are everyday occurrences for these and ex-Braves catcher Ryan Lavarnway, Jewish baseball players, Heading no one expected Team Israel to make Home steals the game and hearts of it as far as they did. Most of these everyone who loves the game.

May 22 - June 10, 2018 7 Itzhak Opening Night Film & Reception Tuesday, May 22 | 7:00 pm Talk James Manishen, Artistic Operations Associate Back of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

This intimate and enchanting the polio he contracted as a child. documentary of violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman’s violin playing transcends mere Perlman takes us from the first years performance to evoke the celebrations of the boy born to non-musical Polish and struggles of real life. From Schubert Immigrants in pre-Israel Tel Aviv, to to Strauss, Bach to Brahms, and Mozart Julliard School in New York and then to making soup for pal Alan Alda, this to the great stages of concert music. feel good film is a portrait of a maestro The movie also delves into Perlman’s and a real mensch. daily physical struggles resulting from Winner Audience Awards Atlanta & Miami Jewish Film Festivals, 2018

Reception following screening with violinist, Jeremy Buzash, Violinist, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

8 Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival Keep the Change Laces Thursday, June 7 | 1:00 pm Friday, May 25 | 1:00 pm Sunday, June 10 | 2:00 pm Saturday, June 2 | 8:00 pm

USA | 2017 | English | Director: Rachel Israel | USA | 2016 | Drama | Hebrew with English Comedy/Drama | 94 minutes subtitles | Director: Yaakov Goldwasser | 85 minutes A romantic-comedy set in a world where the idea of “normal” is a moving After the death of his mother, Gadi needle. Keep the Change tells the a 38-year-old man living with special story of David Polansky who is living needs, has to stay with Reuven, the in modern day New York, struggling to crusty, set-in-his way father he barely come to terms with his high functioning knows. Reuven abandoned the family, autism. David is obsessed with being when Gadi was a boy. Gadi has always perceived as normal, thanks in part been determined to live a meaningful to his demanding and judgmental life, and tries hard to insinuate himself parents. When David is forced to attend into the people and places in Reuven’s an autism support group at the JCC, world. Now Reuven discovers his kidneys he wants nothing to do with the other are failing and Gadi wants to donate members until he meets Sarah who one of his own kidneys to help save exudes positivity and confidence. At his father’s life. Gadi, who recently first irked by her quirky and outgoing lost his mother, is afraid of losing his personality, he soon falls for her. But father and new extended family as when David brings Sarah home to meet well. This presents a moral dilemma to his family their romance is challenged. the transplant committee. The film’s portrayal of a relationship full of love, Jury Award, Best U.S. Narrative Feature, rejection and co-dependency, also Tribeca Film Festival, 2018 manages to shed some light on the importance of human life and human connection.

8 Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival May 22 - June 10, 2018 9 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY MAY 22 7:00 PM Reception Itzhak Opening Night Talk Back Film & Reception Guest Speaker: Off-site films James Manishen

MAY 27 MAY 28 MAY 29 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM Big Sonia Longing The Cakemaker ______Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival Winnipeg International FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 7:30 PM 7:30 PM Sammy Davis Jr.: Moshe Safdie: I’ve Gotta Be Me The Power of Architecture Morley Blankstein Architecture Film Series

JUNE 3 JUNE 4 JUNE 5 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM Shelter Big Sonia The Wedding ______Plan ______4:00 7:30 PM Cakemaker A Quiet Heart 8:15 PM ______Shorts on 7:30 PM Sherbrook The Wedding Film Crawl Plan

JUNE 10 2:00 PM Keep the Change ______7:00 The Testament Closing Night Film & Reception Guest Speaker: Amichai Greenberg WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY MAY 23 MAY 24 MAY 25 MAY 26 7:30 PM 1:00 PM 8:00 PM Simon & Laces Maktub ______Theodore 5:00 PM Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

MAY 30 MAY 31 JUNE 1 JUNE 2 1:00 PM 7:30 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM Maktub The Museum The Invisibles Laces ______Talk Back with 7:00 PM Robert Enright Heading Home: and Alison Gillmor The Tale of Team Israel Centrepiece Film & Reception Guest Speaker: Josh Zeid Moderated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl JUNE 6 JUNE 7 JUNE 8 JUNE 9 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 8 PM The Testament Keep the Sammy Davis Jr.: Longing ______Change I’ve Gotta Be Me ______7:00 PM Nana 7:30 PM 5:00 PM Spotlight Film Bye Bye An Act of & Reception Germany Defiance Guest Speaker: Serena Dykman Talk Back with Moderated by Méria Cook Holly Harris

Winnipeg International All films and events are held at Berney Theatre Rady Jewish Community Centre - 123 Doncaster St Jewish Except for Shorts on Sherbrook Film Crawl on Tuesday, June 5, 8:15 pm: Film Handsome Daughter - 61 Sherbrook Ave Festival The Tallest Poppy - 685 Westminster Ave 2018 Tickets & Information: radyjcc.com | 204-477-7510 Longing Maktub Ga’agua Saturday, May 26 | 8:00 pm Monday, May 28 | 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 30 | 1:00 pm Saturday, June 9 | 8:00 pm

Israel | 2017 | Hebrew with English subtitles | Israel | 2017 | Hebrew with English Director: Savi Gabizon | Drama | 100 minutes subtitles | Director: Oded Raz | Comedy/ Drama | 100 minutes Winner of the 2017 Venice Film Festival’s Audience Award and Jerusalem Film Israel’s number one comedy in 2017 Festival’s Audience Award, acclaimed Israeli tells the hilarious, moving tale of two writer/director Savi Gabizon’s affecting small-time criminal enforcers whose drama centers on a middle-aged Israeli beat is to terrorize upscale Israeli bachelor who is forced to evaluate his life restaurant owners. “Maktub” means choices when he discovers an ex-girlfriend, fate, and the destiny of these two Ronit, had given birth to his son 20 years small-time hoodlums for a Jerusalem before. At first glance, middle-aged Ariel mob radically changes when they has it made: established, well-to-do, single, survive a suicide bombing. Grateful and no apparent worries. But that eye- to be alive, they decide to redeem opener is only the first in a series of winding themselves by secretly fulfilling revelations that will have unpredictable consequences for people Ariel has yet to the prayers left by people between meet and for his own understanding of the sacred stones of the Western himself and his world. For Ariel, the days Wall. In keeping with the delinquent immediately following Ronit’s disclosures ways they know, they naturally steal are filled with activity, both literal and the notes. This politically incorrect emotional. His need to know about a son romantic comedy caper will have you he never knew he had propels him into falling for these two minor thugs. communities, families, and circumstances that are foreign and unexpected. Fueled by Official Selections, Palm Springs & Chicago remarkable, rich performances from two of International Film Festivals, 2018 Israel’s most accomplished actors, Shai Avivi as Ariel, and Assi Levy as Ronit, Gabizon’s film is a deep, moving black comedy that speaks to the... yes... longing, in all of us.

Winner of Best Screenplay, Ophir Awards, Israel, 2017

12 Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival The Morley Blankstein Architecture Film Series Presents Moshe Safdie: The Power of Architecture Monday, May 28 | 7:30 pm

Presented by the Rady JCC and the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation. Morley Blankstein was a well-known architect, community leader and philanthropist.

Canada | 2005 | English | Director: Donald Winkler | Documentary | 95 minutes This fascinating portrait film Memorial Museum, Yad Vashem and celebrates the life and work of Moshe Mamilla in Jerusalem, from the Safdie FAIA by delving into his overall masterplan for the city of Modi’in to and outstanding contribution to the the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, field of architecture, from Habitat Massachusetts. Director Winkler 67 to the United States Holocaust explores what makes each of Safdie’s designs unique.

May 22 - June 10, 2018 13 The Museum A Quiet Heart Ha’mu’zeon Lev Shaket Meod Thursday, May 31 | 7:30 pm Monday, June 4 | 7:30 pm

Ran Tal’s magnificent new film The In present day Jerusalem, a city Museum with its unprecedented look increasingly dominated by religious behind the scenes at the Israel Museum fanaticism, Naomi, a secular young in Jerusalem isn’t a conventional woman seeks refuge from the documentary about the history of the pressure of her life as a concert museum, or its world class collection pianist. Despite her intentions to of 500,000 objects (including the stay alone, Naomi quickly makes two Dead Sea Scrolls); it’s a lyrical work in unexpected connections- one with a and of itself, a poetic celebration of musically gifted Ultra-Orthodox young storytelling and humanity. Tal is one of boy who lives in her building and the Israel’s most accomplished and creative other, with Fabrizio, a charismatic documentarians and his genius lies Italian monk and organist. While in revealing the essence of a place or these relationships allow Naomi to an idea. Gorgeously photographed, reconnect with her love of music and poignant, and wry, The Museum sense of meaning, they also make her artfully curates moments and details, a target in her new community. Faced introducing us to a diverse range of with escalating isolation and violence, curators, artists, guards, and visitors Naomi must learn to use music as a from around the world, each with a story bridge to overcome towering religious to tell. barriers.

Winner, Best Screenplay, Haifa Talk International Film Festival 2016 Back Post-film conversation with Robert Enright, cultural critic, founder of Border Crossings Magazine and Professor in Art Criticism at University of Guelph and Alison Gillmor, writer and critic. PHOTO: MIKE DEAL Nana Spotlight Film & Reception Wednesday, June 6 | 7:00 pm

Guest Speaker: Serena Dykman, Director, Nana Moderated by Holly Harris, Winnipeg-Based Writer Canadian Premiere

Filmmaker Serena Dykman was 11 when speaking about her survival to new her Nana died. But her memories of generations. In a world where racism her charismatic and wise grandmother, and antisemitism are on the rise with her charming Polish-accented her story becomes more urgent. In French, remained crystal clear as does Dykman’s documentary, using archived the importance of her story. Maryla interviews Maryla gave, and enganging Michalowski-Dyamant was born in the point of view of people who knew Poland, and survived Ravensbruck, her, especially her daughter Alice, Malchow, and Auschwitz, where she Maryla’s work continues. was the forced translator of the ‘Angel Winner, Human Spirit Documentary, Chagrin of Death’, Dr. Mengele. She dedicated Documentary Film Festival, 2017 her post-war life in Belgium to publicly

May 22 - June 10, 2018 15 Sammy Davis Jr.: Shelter I’ve Gotta Be Me Mistor Sunday, May 27 | 7:30 pm Sunday, June 3 | 1:00 pm Friday, June 8 | 1:00 pm

USA | 2017 | English | Director: Samuel D. Israel/Germany/France | 2017 | Hebrew, Pollard | Documentary | 100 minutes German, English, Arabic with English subtitles | Director: Eran Riklis | A rousing tribute to the iconic song- Drama/Thriller | 93 minutes and-dance man in all his complexities A former Israeli Mossad agent is and contradictions Sammy Davis Jr.: pulled out of an early retirement I’ve Gotta Be Me explores the life and to play “babysitter” to “Mona” a art of this uniquely gifted entertainer Lebanese Hezbollah informant who whose trajectory blazed across shifting fled Beirut and has undergone facial political climates and flash points of reconstruction surgery to be able to American society from the Depression begin a new life. The two are brought through the 1980s. Featuring a together for two weeks in a quiet glittering line up of interviews with apartment in Hamburg, Germany that stars such as Billy Crystal, Norman acts as their safe house and refuge Lear, Jerry Lewis, Whoopi Goldberg, from terrorists looking to kill them. Quincy Jones and Kim Novak, never The intimacy of the relationship before seen personal photos, and, that develops between them is soon of course, footage of his electric threatened by the terror engulfing performances on television and stage, their separate worlds. In this game of this film will leave you inspired and deception, beliefs are questioned and delighted. Not to mention tapping your loyalties are tested as their fates take a toes as you leave the theatre! surprising turn in this suspense-laden, Nominated Best Documentary Feature, elegant neo-noir. Philadelphia Film Festival, 2017 Winner, Best Actress; Best Music, Ophir Awards, 2017

16 Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival Simon & Theodore The Wedding Plan Simon et Théodore Laavor et hakir Wednesday, May 23 | 7:30 pm Sunday, June 3 | 7:30 pm Tuesday, June 5 | 1:00 pm

Simon is about to become a father. The Wedding Plan is a poignant and How can this man, estranged from funny romantic comedy about love, his pregnant rabbi wife, who walks to marriage and faith in life’s infinite the rhythm of his own beat, and who possibilities. At 32, Michal is finally can barely take care of himself live up looking forward to the comfort and to the responsibility of parenthood? security of marriage, when she is He meets Théodore, an endearing, if blindsided by her fiancé’s decision bad-tempered, teen being raised by to call off the wedding with only a a single mom, and the two rebels set month’s notice. Unwilling to return to out on a crazy quest toward accepting lonely single life, Michal, an Orthodox themselves. Jew, trusts that G-d will supply her a Mr. Right by the wedding date, and continues with her wedding plans. This romantic comedy tells us that when it comes to finding love, its equal parts luck, determination, and faith.

Best Actress; Best Screenplay, Ophir Awards, 2016

May 22 - June 10, 2018 17 The Testament - Haedut Closing Night Film & Reception Sunday, June 10 | 7:00 pm

Guest Speaker: Amichai Greenberg, Director, Testament

The Testament - Haedut Wednesday, June 6 | 1:00 pm

Yoel is a leading Holocaust scholar, testimonies of Holocaust survivors and whose own life has been dedicated uncovers a shocking revelation that to Orthodox Jewish tradition. hits him personally, and undermines Working from his state-of-the-art everything that defines him. Early in research institute in Jerusalem, the film Yoel establishes himself as he is in the midst of waging a very a historian deeply opposed to any public legal battle against powerful relativism around the idea of objective and uncooperative forces in Austria truth. Now he is forced to grapple with concerning a brutal massacre of the idea of fact, on a deeply personal Jews that took place in the village level. of Lensdorf. While investigating the Best Feature Film, Haifa International incident, Yoel examines classified Film Festival, 2017

18 Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival First Ever Shorts on Sherbrook Film Crawl Join us for views and brews, chats and laughs... Tuesday, June 5 | 8:15 pm First stop: The Handsome Daughter - 61 Sherbrook St Next stop: The Tallest Poppy - 685 Westminster Ave

Screenings of award-winning, thought-provoking art-house shorts The Tallest Poppy Tickets: $10 Includes all films plus one drink at each venue and nibbles The Handsome 18+ Daughter

We Want to Hear from You! Visit our Photo Wall Photograph your Jewish Film Festival Please vote for your favourite experience at the photo wall. Pose feature film and documentary for silly, sweet or star-studded You could Win 2 Passes pictures with your friends and share to the 2019 Film Festival instantly on social media

More information at entrance to theatre #wjff2018

May 22 - June 1010, 2018 19 Present Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival 2018

May 22–June 10

Tickets & Information

204-477-7510Winnipeg International Jewish Film | Festival radyjcc.com 2017 | May 23–June 11