What’s on at the 2019 Edmonton Jewish Film Festival: May 21 – 30

Here is a peek at the feature films that will be screened at the upcoming Edmonton Jewish Film Festival, from May 21 – 30, 2019 at the Landmark Cinema 9, City Centre. For ticket information visit jewishedmonton.org

 

Shoelaces (2018) Tues. May 21 at 7 pm (90 min)

Director: Jacob Goldwasser (Israel)

Hebrew with English subtitles

Drama, (90 min)

An engaging, humorous and life-affirming story of the relationship between Reuben (60), an aging auto mechanic, and Gadi (35), the exuberant special-needs son he abandoned long ago. When his ex-wife dies, Reuben is suddenly thrust into the position of caring for Gadi. Their relationship is tested by trials and tribulations as they adjust to their new life together. See the trailer. 

Includes short film: 100 Faces.

From Cairo to the Cloud (2018)  Wed, May 22 at 7 pm (94 min)

Canada, US, Egypt, France Israel

Director: Michelle Paymar

English, Documentary

The gripping story of the discovery of the Cairo Geniza, a vast, treasure trove of manuscripts hidden for centuries in the sacred storeroom of an ancient synagogue in Old Cairo. It is the largest cache of Jewish history ever found. Though discovered over a century ago, the collection is now being digitized and made available in The Cloud, to one and all. See the trailer. 

Includes special guest: Rabbi Mark Glickman, author of Sacred Treasure–The Cairo Genizah: The Amazing Discoveries of Forgotten Jewish History in an Egyptian Synagogue Attic. 

Tel Aviv on Fire (2018)  Thurs. May 23, 7 pm (97 min)

Israel, Luxembourg, Belgium, France

Director: Sameh Zoabi (Comedy)

Hebrew, Arabic with English subtitles

Salam, a production assistant on the set of a popular Arab-language soap opera, strikes up an awkward friendship with Assi, an Israeli officer at the Ramallah checkpoint. Together, Salam and Assi come up with plots for the show that betray their shared desire to normalize Arab-Jewish relations and earn them points with the women they love. See the trailer.

The Museum (2017)  Sun May 26, 3 pm (74 min)

Director: Ran Tal (Israel)

Hebrew with English subtitles

Documentary

“The Museum” explores the Israeli soul through visiting the galleries, storerooms and visitors to the Israel Museum, Israel’s most important cultural institution. With a sharp, ironic eye, the film goes room to room, meeting many of the colourful characters that take part in a chain of activities which total the museum itself. See the trailer here.

Includes short films by Bezalel students, celebrating Israeli culture.

The Last Suit (2017)  Sun. May 26, 7 pm (91 min)

Argentina, Spain

Director:  Pablo Solarz (Drama)

Spanish with English subtitles

In this poignant, humorous, late-in-life road trip movie, Abraham Bursztein, an 88-year Holocaust survivor leaves his home in Buenos Aires for Poland, to find the friend who saved him from certain death, long ago. Fleeing his family, who want to put him in a nursing home, and after more than seven decades with no news from his friend, Abraham sets off on a wild adventure. See the trailer.

Includes short film: Journey Birds.

Leona (2018)  Mon. May 27, at 7 pm (95 min)

Director: Isaac Cherem

Spanish with English subtitles

Drama, Mexico

“Leona” is an intimate and moving story of a young Jewish artist from Mexico City who finds herself torn between her family and her forbidden love of a non-Jewish man. The story is both painful and beautiful – there are no easy choices to be made as she struggles with her heart to take the best path. See the trailer here. 

The Waldheim Waltz (2018)  Tues. May 28, 7 pm (91 min)

Director: Ruth Beckermann

German, French, English with English subtitles

Documentary, Austria

In this fascinating film about how a dishonest man can rise to power, Ruth Beckermann documents the process of uncovering former UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim’s wartime past. The film shows the swift succession of allegations by the World Jewish Congress during his Austrian presidential campaign, the denial by the Austrian political class, and the outbreak of anti-Semitism and patriotism, which finally lead to Waldheim’s election. Created from archive material, the film shows that history is destined to repeat itself, time and time again. See the trailer here. 

Includes short film: The Driver is Red.

Between Worlds (2016)   Wed. May 29, 7 pm (84 min)

Director: Miya Hatav (Israel)
Hebrew, Arabic with English subtitles

Drama

Visiting their gravely injured son in a Jerusalem hospital in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, Orthodox couple Bina and Meir form a surprising bond with a young woman, who is at the hospital to attend to her dying father.  As the surprising truth about her identity unfolds, they struggle to accept the circumstances that brought them together. Questions about the nature of faith, acceptance, and understanding loom large. See the trailer here. 

Includes short film: Last Class in Bagdhad.

Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds: The Conductor Zubin Mehta (2016)  Thurs. May 30, 7 pm (89 min)

Germany, Documentary

Director: Bettina Ehrhardt

German, English, Italian with English subtitles

Conductor Zubin Mehta was born in India and has had a dazzling international career.  Since he first joined the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969, he has developed strong ties with the state and become the face of its cultural excellence. Produced on the eve of Mehta’s 80th birthday, this film is a timely celebration of the legendary maestro’s life and work. See the trailer. 

 Includes dessert reception sponsored by the Edmonton Community Foundation, with special guest:  Alexander Prior, Chief Conductor, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.