UK JEWISH FILM FEST I VA L 2015 7 – 22 November ukjewishfilm.org Sponsors Shoresh Charitable Trust The Kobler Trust Presidents Circle Patrons Wendy Fisher Carolyn and Harry Black Jenny and Mark Klabin Alan Brill Louise and Hilton Nathanson Tony Coren Erica and Stuart Peters David Gaventa Bianca and Stuart Roden Paul and Keren Ristvedt Isabelle and Ivor Seddon Andrew Stone Alan Howard Arthur Matyas & Edward Wojakovski Charitable Foundation Funding Contributors Hirschel The Muriel and Gus Coren Foundation Charitable Foundation Phyllis Ellis Trust Fund Film Sponsors Freedman and Osen Family Annabel Karmel Fiona and Peter Needleman Nigel Alliance OBE Vicki and Bobby Garson Sabrina and Eric Lemer The Rudnick Family Edward Azouz Selina and Andrew Gellert Karen and Lawrence Lever Jessica Sebag-Montefiore Beaverbrooks Judith Gordon and Alan Spier Dennis and Gillian Levine Liz and Philip Shapiro Pam and Leslie Blustin Jane and Michael Grabiner Veronique and Jonathan Lewis Mrs Barbara Sieratzki Jeremy Coller Jeffrey Gruder QC Galaxy Optical The Steen Family Lord and Lady Collins and Gillian Gruder Stephen Margolis David and Sayoko Teitelbaum of Mapesbury Dov Hamburger Philippa and Richard Mintz Marc Winer Sarah Crammer Max Jankel Sterne Diane and Allan Morgenthau Marc Worth The Family of Selwyn Horwich Stella and Zamir Joory The Muriel and Gus Coren Anonymous sponsor David Dangoor Anne Joseph and James Libson Charitable Foundation Anonymous sponsor Laurence and Yochy Davis Susan and Roy Kaitcer Lynne and Ivor Nathan The Emanuel Charitable Trust and Family New Israel Fund In Kind Sponsors UK Jewish Film is a registered charity No. 1072914. The selection of films and events for the UKJFF does not reflect in any way the views or preferences of the sponsors or those who support the festival. Welcome Michael Etherton CHIEF EXECUTIVE Welcome to the 19th UK Jewish Film Festival (In Bruges, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). and to a packed two weeks of powerful, inspiring Meanwhile, through our Pears Short Film and moving stories told through film, and of Fund at UK Jewish Film we continue to support outstanding new talent and creativity that and inspire a new generation of filmmakers reflects and celebrates the diversity of Jewish in creating films on Jewish themes. This year life and culture. we are proud to present world premieres of two new films, The Guitar and The Chop, which We are delighted to bring you an exciting and were selected from strong competition for varied programme of more than 80 international development and production. films, including landmark cinema like the much fêted Son of Saul, which won the Grand Prix at the Delivering an event on the scale of the UK Cannes Film Festival 2015; films that showcase Jewish Film Festival requires the enthusiasm new British talent like the world premiere of and commitment of a strong team, who work Orthodox; extraordinary real life stories like the not only on the annual festival, but also on hijack docudrama Sabena; movies full of joy and our substantial UK-wide education programme, laughter like 5 to 7 and What’s in a Name; and our year-round films at JW3, our foreign festivals the latest and the best in contemporary Israeli (in Geneva, Montreal and Hong Kong) and cinema. Beyond our line-up of films we invite our growing Video on Demand platform that you to discussion panels that focus on key issues increases access to our films. We are fortunate 2015 UK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL in contemporary cinema as well as a plethora of to have a wonderfully dedicated staff leading guest film directors and actors from the that includes Founder and President Judy UK and around the world. Ironside, Business Director Keren Misgav, Film Programmer Nicola Christie, Operations Nurturing new talent is an important focus Coordinator Alissa Timoshkina, Education for 2015 and one of the many new initiatives Manager Rachel Burns and Programming in this area is the launch of our Best Debut Assistant Elise Loiseau, and there are many Feature Award. A jury headed up by director others who I cannot mention here. Supporting of the National Film & Television School Nik our work is also an Executive Board headed Powell, together with director Mike Newell by Stephen Margolis and an Advisory Board (Four Weddings and Funeral, Harry Potter and chaired by Judy Ironside. the Goblet of Fire), actress Kerry Fox (An Angel at My Table, The Crimson Field), actor Jason As always, at the heart of the UK Jewish Film Isaacs (Harry Potter, The Patriot) and producer Festival are you, our audiences and supporters, Michael Kuhn (Notting Hill, Suite Francaise), will and we look forward to welcoming each of choose a winner from the six films in competition. you this year, to sharing with you unique and important films and stories that inspire, challenge For those in the early stages of their professional and celebrate. development or just curious about how films are made we are also launching our new FilmLab series, which includes master classes from producers Simon Chinn (The Green Prince, Searching for Sugar Man) and Graham Broadbent 1 Contents & Festival Strands A guide to the films of the 2015 UK Jewish Film Festival HAPPY HOUR Special screenings with snacks and drinks for a young professionals Still from To Life! crowd. TICKETS: £7.50 2 Page CONTENT Page CONTENT 1 Welcome Message: Centrefold Screening Timetable Michael Etherton 4 Welcome Message: Stephen 48-54 Margolis LOVERS Romance, desire, love unrequited – 5 Best Debut Feature Award the heart of cinema. 6 UKJF at a Glance 7 Education Through Film 56-60 RADICALS 8 Become a UKJF Member Essential, real-life tales of people who have changed the world, in small (and large) ways. 10-13 GALAS Landmark screenings of major 62-65 UK premieres with fizz and glamour. STRANGERS Gripping and powerful portraits of marginalised people whose 15-19 lives take centre stage. BELIEVERS 2015 UK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL Stories inspired by strong beliefs 66-67 The Docs of 2015 and seemingly impossible dreams. 69-72 WITNESSES 20-25 FIGHTERS Courageous truth-tellers Stories of courage and determination, with precious stories to share. often revolving around the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. 73-76 SHORTS 26-31 Tantalising treats from comedies COMICS to experimental films. W itt y, sm a r t a n d l a ug h-o ut-l o u d ta l e s. 77 Pears Short Film Fund 32-37 FIRST-TIMERS 78-79 Film Lab Outstanding performances from 80-85 Guests rising stars of the big screen. 86 UKJF Team 39-40 Israeli Cinema Today 87 Thanks 88-90 Venues and Bookings 41-47 OUTLAWS 91 Index Gripping tales, comic... thrilling… about risk-takers who take the law into their own hands. 3 Welcome Stephen Margolis CHAIRMAN Dear Festival Goer, I would first of all like to welcome you to the 19th I would therefore like to say some 'thank yous’. UK Jewish Film Festival where I am confident that To Judy Ironside, our Founder and President, you will see that the team have compiled a diverse who invited me to take on this position in the first and interesting range of features, documentaries place – I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. To our and short films – something for everybody. Chief Executive Michael Etherton, our Business Director Keren Misgav, and to everyone in the Over the years the Festival has grown to become office for the work that they do throughout the not just a major fixture in the community year to ensure that the quality and freshness calendar, but a year-round organisation showing of the organisation is continually maintained. films, running educational programmes and tracing and recording Jewish heritage (amongst Then to my colleagues on the Executive and other things). Advisory Boards who have continually introduced and supported new initiatives and provided wise We have grown to be the largest organisation counsel to all aspects of the organisation. of its kind in Europe, selling close to 20,000 tickets during the Festival and year-round, Finally and most importantly – a very big thank and with our ever growing VOD platform, you to you, our audience and supporters. None films can now be watched in your homes of what we do would be possible without that 24 hours a day, seven days a week. support. It ranges from our Sponsors and Patrons to our Members and audiences. The satisfaction None of this would be possible without you – that we receive is when we hear back from you the audience. about what you have enjoyed, and the fact that After four years as Chairman, I have decided you keep coming back with your support in to step aside and allow someone else to be whichever ways that you can. Chairman and bring their vision and enthusiasm I am sure that you will join me in welcoming for the further growth and development Jonathan Lewis as your new Chairman and of UK Jewish Film. I will remain on the Executive I look forward to working alongside him Board and be responsible for the Biannual Film for many years to come. Dinner fundraiser. I hope you enjoy our 2015 Festival. 4 BEST DEBUT FEATURE Best Debut UKJFF Feature Award New for 2015, the Best Debut Feature Award NOMINEES: recognises the most outstanding feature Son of Saul p18 film from a first-time director. The winner Orthodox p44 of the Best Debut Feature Award will be The Farewell Party p46 announced at the Closing Weekend Gala Labyrinth of Lies p47 on Saturday 21 November 2015. 5 to 7 p53 BEST DEBUT Check out this years FEATURE NOMINEE Best Debut Feature nominees! THE JURY: Nik Powell - Head of Jury Michael Kuhn is a Kenyan- Producer and Director of British film producer based National Film and Television primarily in the United School, Nik has been prominent Kingdom.