FREE FILM SPOTLIGHT #11

Documentary Music Israel (2012) 65 min. | English

This is quite a story about survival, not only of people but of a remarkable violin. The 1713 Stradivarius was given to a young Polish Jewish prodigy, Bronislaw Huberman, who later became the founder of what is now the Israeli Philharmonic. It was stolen twice during Huberman's ownership and later put up for sale as a museum piece before being purchased by one of the world's most celebrated violinists, Joshua Bell.

Director: Haim Hecht

Documentary Israel (2015) 53 min | Hebrew w/English sub

Yakov Kozalchik was known as "The Warden of the Death Block”. He was also a Jewish Kapo in Auschwitz, who sacrificed his life to save Jews, and was a well-known strongman who performed all over the world. But his heart could not stand the accusations that he collaborated with the Nazis, and at the age of 53, already living in Israel, he took his own life. His 68 year old son, is now embarking on a remarkable journey to recover the past and discover his father.

Directed by Ron Ninio

Tiny Miny Magic

Comedy USA (2011) 8 min English

When Sam Cabbage (Jennifer Lafleur) decides to show her appreciation for her mailman (Ross Partridge - The Off Hours, Baghead) by leaving him a present in her mailbox, she is delighted when he leaves her a present back. Through a delightful gift giving exchange via Sam's mailbox, an anonymous romance blossoms until the pair takes the next step, culminating in a twist ending of a real love connection Sam could never have imagined.

Director: Danielle Lurie

Sinner

Drama Israel (2009) 25 min. Hebrew w/English sub

Yotam, a thirteen year-old boy studying at an ultra-orthodox Jewish boarding school, is battling the awakening of his sexual desires. Confused and guilt-ridden, he consults with his rabbi who abuses his position and Yotam's innocence. With no one to trust and nowhere to go, Yotam finds himself trapped by the enforced silence in his community. In a world where sex is taboo, victims suffer in silence often blaming themselves for the crimes inflicted upon them, while the abusers know their acts will go unpunished. “Sinner” attempts to give voice to the children whose innocence is abused within the walls of the only world they know by the very same people whose task is to guide them and keep them from harm.

Directors: Meni Philip

Comedy USA (2016) 8 minutes | Yiddush -English

On the eve of Passover, Chaimie coaxes Leizer to come out for a bit.

Director: Jamie Elman

Drama Israel (2008) 30 min | Hebrew w/ English sub

Pinhas & his mother are new immigrants from Russia His mother barely makes a living working night shifts, she devotes her spare time to the affair she has with a married man. On the third floor lives a religious family, Pinhas is drawn to the warmth and unity that characterize this family there he meets a girl his age, and her older brother, who slowly introduces him to religion.

Director: Pini Tavger

Drama | Poland (2012) 8 min | Polis w/ English sub

The film is about the beginnings of a nascent love between a Jewish boy and a Polish girl in Bialystok in the interwar period.

Director: Bernarda Anna Bielenia

Drama | USA (2011) 14 min | English

The short film poses an extremely chilling dilemma: what if one found out that the newest resident of his nursing home was the same Nazi office that murdered his entire family sixty years earlier.

Documentary Canada (2013) 5 min | English

Elly survived the Holocaust, as did the family recipe of the Seven Layer 'Napoleon Cake'. This cake was what Elly would eat on every birthday since he was born. After being separated during the war, Elly's mother, Sonja, survived and was able to continue the tradition of making this beloved cake for Elly. She then passed it on the the love of Elly's life, his wife Esme. Esme now makes the cake for Elly on every birthday, and uses it as a sweet reminder of Elly's mother, the joyful parts of his past, and the life that he has created with his wife, Emse. This is a story of love and survival.

Director: Alex Budman

Comedy USA (2016) 27 min | English

A Brooklyn curmudgeon gets a surprise visit from a British gent claiming to be his son, in this charming and gently humorous anatomy of family relations.

Directors: Rebecca Feldman

Animated Israel (2015) 9 min English

Personal stories and animation create a unique cinematic exploration of migration, home and identity.

Director: Daphna Awadish

Drama Israel (2009) 23 min. Hebrew w/English sub

Dafna, the 40-year old single mother of a newborn boy, arrives at her parents’ home a few days before her baby’s circumcision. Her father, an elderly Persian Jew, finds it difficult to accept the new situation.

Director: Keren Hakak

Drama Uruguary (2013) 13 min Spanish w/ English sub

Like every week, the Kalmenstein family tries to make it through their traditional Saturday lunch. But everything feels more painful on the day they are marking the death anniversary of a daughter, sister and mother.

Director: David Blankleider

Drama Israel (2012) 22 min Hebrew w/English sub

Sea, sun, island, a family on vacation. And all Yuval wants is to get the heck out of there.

Director: Tal Granit, Sharon Maymon

Drama Israel (2015) 25 min Hebrew w/ Engl sub

Michael is a 30 year-old playboy enjoying life in Tel Aviv. Everything changes, however, when he finds out about his ex girlfriend's new relationship. Michael's festering wounds drive him to absurd lengths to try and win her back. In this adorable short comedy, a young Tel Aviv bachelor cannot let go of his last love and will do almost anything to meet her again.

Director: Michael Alalu

Comedy USA (2011) 13 min English

On the streets of LA, thousands of men are available as day laborers for cash, by the hour. What happens when lonely and single Elissa picks up the capable and handsome Arturo to help her fix the shower? She realizes one hour is simply not enough. An afternoon turns into a long weekend that changes them both forever in this hilarious yet emotional short film.

Director: Jill Soloway