Welcome to the 2021 Virtual Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival including feature length & short films, documentaries, interactive programs and conversations with directors, cast and guests that will have you on the edge of your seat!
From building bridges through food, to the American convert who took Israel to basketball victory, to a Holocaust movie like you’ve never seen before, this year’s Festival includes thought-provoking films designed to bring us together and create dialogue; entertaining films designed to make us laugh and cry; and groundbreaking films only offered through the Festival.
Each film has a 72 hour viewing window (see below for specific times) for ticket holders to watch at their convenience. Rube Goldberg and the Film Shorts will be available to watch during the entire duration of the festival.
PLUS! Make sure to check out our Virtual Lobby Discussions where you can stop by our Zoom Lobby to partake/listen to lightly facilitated discussions on the films that have screened. Virtual Lobby Discussions will be held at 8:30 PM on 10/20, 10/27 and 10/30. All ticket holders will receive an email prior to the events with the Zoom Lobby link and info.
Your ALL-FESTIVAL pass gives you unlimited access to all films, speakers, interactive programs, and conversations that are part of this year’s outstanding line-up.
Questions or need assistance with purchasing tickets online? Contact the Arts, Culture, and Enrichment team at TCJFF21@minnesotajcc.org.
Proceeds from tickets sales support the Minnesota JCC’s wide range of arts, culture and enrichment programming that engage the community in the exploration of Jewish identity and culture through film, performance, theater, visual arts, literature and learning.
Kindertransports to Sweden
October 18 • 7 PM
Recount the fate of four Jewish survivors, who were sent to Sweden during the Third Reich, with the so-called “Kindertransports”, in order to save them from the Nazi terror. Their stories depict the tragic fate of a winner, who is at the same time the loser, of his own salvation. Trauma, which exists even today, as well as feelings of loss, loneliness, uprooting and a sense of guilt, is was the reality of the children, most of whom never saw their parents again.
Followed by a live Q&A with Michael Simonson of the Leo Baeck Institute, moderated by our community partners at JCRC.
Documentary | 90 min | Swedish, German | English subtitles
PURCHASE TICKET WATCH THE TRAILER
Kindertransport exhibit on view now through October 31st, 2021 at the American Swedish Institute.
Presented in partnership with the American Swedish Institute, JCRC and Beth El Synagogue.
Available to view October 18-21.
They Ain’t Ready For Me
October 19 • 7 PM
The story of Tamar Manasseh, the black rabbinical student who leads the fight against gun violence on the south side of Chicago. Tamar’s identity and personality combine to make her a force to be reckoned with.
Film screening followed by discussion with filmmaker Brad Rothschild and doc’s subject Tamar Manasseh.
Documentary | 89 min | English | English subtitles | Violence
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Available to view October 19-22.
If You See My Mother
October 21 • 7 PM
Thirty-year-old Max is a single ophthalmologist and mama’s boy who appears to be coping well with his mother’s death—because he still sees her and talks to her all the time. Her constant presence is comforting at first, but once Max meets and falls in love with Ohiana, his mom’s ongoing role in his life becomes problematic—to say the least. What follows is an enchanting comic fantasy marked by outstanding performances, and an honest and bittersweet depiction of the dynamics of relationships.
Comedy, Drama, Romance | 90 min | French | English subtitles | Sexual Content, Mature Language.
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Available to view October 21-24.
Persian Lessons
October 23 • 7 PM
1942. Gilles, a young Belgian man, is arrested by the SS alongside other Jews and sent to a concentration camp in Germany. He avoids execution by swearing to the guards that he is not Jewish, but Persian. This lie temporarily saves him, but then Gilles is assigned a seemingly untenable mission: to teach Persian to Koch, the officer in charge of the camp’s kitchen, who dreams of opening a restaurant in Persia (Iran) once the war is over.
Followed by a live Q&A with the filmmaker, moderated by Ben Cohen (Director of Arts, Culture & Enrichment).
Drama | 127 min | German, French, Persian, English, Italian | English subtitles | Brief nudity, moderate violence, gore, and frightening images, mild smoking and alcohol use, mild profanity
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Available to view October 23-26.
Sublet
October 24 • 2 PM
A New York Times travel writer comes to Tel Aviv after suffering a tragedy. The energy of the city and his relationship with a younger man brings him back to life. The two men face a generational gap that puts their personal and clashing life philosophies into perspective.
Drama, Romance, Comedy | 89 min | English, Hebrew | English subtitles | Smoking/use of alcohol, sexual content
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Available to view October 24-27.
WALTER’S PICK!
Aulcie
October 25 • 7 PM
Recruited from the courts of Harlem, Aulcie Perry became one of Israel’s greatest athletes after joining Maccabi-Tel Aviv in 1976. He captured the spirit of the nation and under his inspiring leadership, the team won its first European Championship. Shortly after, Aulcie converted to Judaism and moved to Israel, but the dark side of fame led to his downfall. Aulcie shares his story of redemption, while game footage and interviews complete this emotional profile of a superstar who put Israeli basketball on the map.
Join us after the film for a live broadcast followed by a discussion between filmmaker Dani Menkin and local Israelis who witnessed Aulcie’s rise to fame. Moderated by Festival Volunteer/Curator Walter Elias.
Sports Documentary | 75 min | English, Hebrew | English subtitles
PURCHASE TICKET WATCH THE TRAILER
Post-film event sponsored by the The Israel Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.
Available to view October 25-28.
Ziyara
October 26 • 7 PM
In Morocco, Ziyara – the visit of the Saints – is a popular tradition shared by both Jews and Muslims. As part of a cinematic pilgrimage to her Jewish roots, director Simone Bitton embarks on a road trip across Morocco to meet with the muslim guardians of the country’s jewish memory.
Documentary | 99 min | Arabic, French, Hebrew, English | English subtitles
Available to view October 26-29.
Breaking Bread
October 28 • 7 PM
Dr. Nof Atamna-Ismaeel – the first Muslim Arab to win Israel’s MasterChef – is on a quest to make social change through food. And so, she founded the A-sham Arabic Food Festival, where pairs of Arab and Jewish chefs collaborate on exotic dishes. With hope, synergy and mouthwatering fare, Breaking Bread illustrates what happens when people focus on the person, rather than her religion, on the public, rather than the politicians.
A pre-recorded interview with Mizrahi feminist Hadar Cohen, who will share her family’s story of 200+ years living in Jerusalem as well as her journey of reclaiming her Arab identity alongside her Jewish identity will follow this screening.
October 31 • 11 AM:
Live cooking and history session with Israeli-American culinary artists Dor & Ophir Haberer
Documentary | 85 min | Hebrew, Arabic, English | English subtitles
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Available to view October 28-31.
Film Shorts
October 16-31
Two extraordinary shorts blocks, from a family Zoom gone awry to the Bar Mitzvah boy who won’t come out of his room, to an artist’s creation to honor the resilience of Holocaust survivors.
Narrative Shorts – Family Ties • October 20 • 7PM:
Narrative special broadcast followed by “virtual lobby hours” where festival attendees can discuss the films they’ve watched so far.
Documentary Shorts – Stories of Resilience • October 27 • 7PM:
Documentary special broadcast followed by “virtual lobby hours” where festival attendees can discuss the films they’ve watched so far.
Back by Popular Demand!
Pre-Fest TCJFF Throwback Thursday Film
Gloomy Sunday
Available to view October 14-31
A hit song during the 1930s, recorded most famously by Billie Holiday, the evocative “Gloomy Sunday” was notorious for allegedly driving people to suicide. Now it’s the inspiration for this marvelous film, a love story with a twist. Gloomy Sunday flashes back from the 1990s to the early 1930s in the lush and romantic city of Budapest, where three people are caught in a love triangle.
This film is FREE, but all viewers, including all-fest passholders must reserve a ticket for this event.
1999 | Drama | 112 min | German, Hungarian| English subtitles | Nudity, Sexual Content, Violence, Forced Sex, Mature Language, Suicide
WORLD PREMIERE!
The Two Lives of Rube Goldberg
Available to view October 14-31
Legendary cartoonist Rube Goldberg (1886-1970) was one of the great cultural icons of the 20th Century. His drawings of unwieldy fantasy inventions became a fixture of American popular entertainment, and cemented his reputation as one of the most astute and prescient satirists of The Machine Age. In “The Two Lives of Rube Goldberg,” director Geoffrey George (Goldberg’s youngest grandchild,) explores Rube’s life, as well as the influence of his legacy, which continues to inspire new generations of creative thinkers, today.
The program will include a Q&A with Geoffrey George, as well as selected shorts from “Joseph’s Machines,” featuring modern “Rube Goldberg Machines” constructed by kinetic artist Joseph Herscher.
Documentary | 40 min | English | Directed by Geoffrey George
Visit the Sabes & Capp Center Galleries to view accompanying exhibitions on display from Oct 14 – Dec 20, 2021.
This film and event is FREE to the public and is available throughout the festival.
OPENING NIGHT!
Here We Are
The viewing window for this film
is now CLOSED
Aharon has devoted his life to raising his son Uri. They live together in a gentle routine, away from the real world. Uri, who has autism, is now a young adult and it might be time for him to live in a specialized home. On their way to the institution, Aharon runs away with his son and hits the road, knowing that Uri is not ready for this separation. Or is it, in fact, his father who is not ready?
A festival preview, welcome and Havdalah will precede the live broadcast, followed by a recorded conversation with the filmmaker
Drama | 94 min | Hebrew | English subtitles
Thank you to our generous Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival Sponsor
Randi Winston and Barry Wolfish
Thank you to our generous The Two Lives of Rube Goldberg Sponsors
The Mary and Julius Pertzik Jewish Cultural Arts Fund
Rimon: The MN Jewish Arts Council
St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts
Brin Jewish Arts Endowment Fund
Boston Scientific
Phil & Tammie Rosenbloom
Edward Ratner and Mark Ratner
Katherine and Jeffrey Tane
Karee & Brad Lehrman
Thank you to our generous Aulcie Sponsors
Amy Taswell & Jim Moscowitz
The Israel Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Thank you to our generous Kindertransports to Sweden Community Partners
Jewish Community Relations Council
American Swedish Institute
Beth El Synagogue