30th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
Presented by the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut
MARCH 21 – MAY 2, 2024
The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut (JFEC) is proud to present Eastern Connecticut's 30th annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT, celebrating 30 years of Jewish history, culture, and identity. The FilmFest will run from Thursday, March 21 through Thursday, May 2, 2024. The Jewish Federation is excited to present this year’s FilmFest with all in person showings.
Individual ticket sales are $12 per person, per movie. The 2024 FilmPass is for 5 films for $48 per person. The FilmPass excludes CALL ME DANCER.
Please note: CALL ME DANCER will be screened on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 pm, at United Theatre in Westerly, RI.
Tickets for CALL ME DANCER can only be purchased on the United Theatre website or at the door.
It is strongly recommended that tickets be purchased ahead of time since the FilmFest movies screened at United Theatre over the past 2 years have sold out. Tickets for this movie can only be purchased through United Theatre.
NO NAME RESTAURANT
Germany, 2023, Comedy, German with English subtitles, 121 minutes
Thursday, March 21, 7:00pm, Olin Science Center, Connecticut College
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT. To save the synagogue of the once largest Jewish community in the world from being shut down, Ben, an ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn Jew visiting Jerusalem, is sent out to be the desperately needed tenth man for the ceremonies of Pesach. Having missed his plane and been kicked off the bus in the Sinai Desert, his last hope is Adel, a grumpy Bedouin looking for his camel. Rescued by monks when their car breaks down, Ben is too sick to go on. It is the Bedouin disguised as Ben who is now rushing on towards Alexandria to save the Jewish community.
LET THE PARTY BEGIN
Israel, 2023, Comedy, Hebrew with English subtitles, 87 minutes
Tuesday, April 2, 7:00pm, Temple Emanu-El
The country's greatest film producer whose film wins at the Cannes Film festival. But, after two years of struggling through COVID, difficulties with investors wanting their money back, films not distributed and a difficult divorce settlement, Jonathan must sell his company with all its assets. Unaware of the situation his new wife throws him a surprise party to celebrate his win at Cannes, inviting everyone. When Jonathan finds out about it he decides to wire the whole house with cameras. Who among us wouldn't want to be a fly on the wall at his own party?
THE STORY OF ANNETTE ZELMAN
France, 2023, Drama/Romance, French with English subtitles, 93 minutes
Tuesday, April 9, 7:00pm, Temple Emanu-El
Romeo and Juliet in 1942. She was Jewish. He was Catholic. Annette and Jean wanted to get married, but Jean’s parents were opposed. Annette Zelman was reported to the Gestapo by her fiancé’s father and was sent to Auschwitz. Based on a story in ‘Dénoncer les Juifs sous l’Occupation’ (Informing on Jews during the Occupation) by Laurent Joly.
CALL ME DANCER
India/U.K./Israel/U.S.A., 2023, Drama/Inspiration, English and Hindi, 84 minutes
Tuesday, April 16, 7:00pm, United Theatre, Westerly, RI
A story of hope, heartache, and hard work. Together, Manish and Yehuda transform each other’s lives, searching to uncover who and what they are. Yehuda seeks a purpose and a place to call home. Manish dreams of dancing on the world-stage but struggles to break free from the confines of his own economic and social circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for Call Me Dancer can only be purchased on the United Theatre website or at the door.
It is strongly recommended that tickets be purchased ahead of time since the FilmFest movies screened at United Theatre over the past 2 years have sold out.
SEVEN BLESSINGS
Israel, 2023, Comedy, Hebrew, Arabic, French with English subtitles, 108 minutes
Sunday, April 28, 2:00pm, Olin Science Center, Connecticut College
SEVEN BLESSINGS revolves around an eventful Jewish Moroccan family wedding and the traditional blessings that are pronounced during the ceremony, again at the reception, and then again for the next seven nights with loved ones hosting special dinners in the couple’s honor. Behind the facade of joie de vivre and togetherness, there are secrets, lies, and a painful old wound that forces them to confront the past while wrecking the present, all entwined in this acclaimed story about fury, forgiveness, and food.
THE GOLDMAN CASE
France, 2023, Crime/Drama, French with English subtitles, 115 minutes
Thursday, May 2, 7:00pm, Temple Emanu-El
Chronicles the trial of Goldman, a French left-wing revolutionary who was convicted of several robberies and was mysteriously murdered. Considered to be the trial of the century, the Goldman trial reflects the political, ideological, and racial tensions that marked the 1970s in France and Europe.
